Ian Woods
Ian J Woods
January 16, 1975 – August 25, 2025
On the evening of August 25th, 2025 Ian ‘Bear’ J. Woods passed in his adopted town of Southampton, NY. He was 50 years old. Ian was born in Leeds, England to the proud parents of Bridget Ann and Gordon Woods on January 16, 1975. He spent the first two years of his life in England before making the journey to his homeland of Clara, County Offaly, Ireland. In his early childhood he lived in the community of Beechmount. There, Ian formed his gang of friends Jamie, Trevor, and his older brother, Shane. These years spent there with this amazing group of boys are often described as his happiest memories. This gang would spend countless hours and days making up games, building forts, going on adventures and causing a bit of mischief.
However, Ian also had some hard times during these years that also shaped him. He unfortunately lost not only one person early in his life but three people close to him but the community of Beechmount, in true fashion stepped up and became his second family. During his childhood he was very close to his mum, Bridgie-Ann and his grandad, Christy and uncle Johnny and cousin Mark. He also spent time with his Aunt Marie, Uncle John and cousin Sharon.
Ian attended school in England for Arboriculture, where he was able to pursue his love of nature and forestry. His love for all things that grow and nature was something special. He continued to carry his love for this throughout his whole life and made a career out of it. Although nature was not his only passion in life this started at an early age. He also had the travel bug, traveling to England, France, and the United States.
In England he was able to spend the time with his second mom, aunty Cathy and her loving husband, Uncle Bill, and daughters Kelly and Marie. He shared a love for them, so great making sure his travels never left out a phone call to them. He finally made the United States his adopted home in the fall of 2000. The reason, his wife Victoria and her daughter Cameron. Ian and his wife added to the family with with their two daughters, Alexandria and Abigail (Tony).
Ian will be sadly missed by all his friends and family but he is now at peace not only in body but in spirit as he is laid to rest with his mom and his best friend and hero, his big brother Shane.