The Ellsworth High School Alumni Association is pleased to announce the receipt of a $6,000 gift from the Family of Colby N. Wood. Colby, an Ellsworth native who died in 1991, graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1932. At EHS he participated in track, baseball, basketball, among other extracurricular activities. After serving in the US Navy during World War II, he worked for many years for the United States Postal Service. Colby was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. The following quote is from the Hall’s website.
“Colby Wood rates as one of Eastern Maine’s leading baseball and all-round sport figures dating over a period of several decades. A all-season athlete at Ellsworth High School, 1929-32, he collected 14 letters. Colby played centerfield and shortstop and pitched for the Eagles who were undefeated his last two seasons.
Wood played football, basketball, and baseball for the Bangor, Maine School of Commerce (forerunner of Husson College) for two years, led the team with a .456 batting average and eight home runs in 1934. Heavy play in semi-pro baseball followed, particularly with the fast Ellsworth Red Wings Wood organized with John Foss in 1935. The Wings won 244 games and lost 62 in eight seasons, drawing crowds of up to 5,000. They were Maine Seacoast League Champions in 1939.
Wood was signed by the Boston Braves in 1938 and assigned to Beaver Falls, Pa., where he played for several weeks before being released because of an injury to his throwing arm. Colby managed and played (first base for the Navy Shellbacks In the Central Pacific League as they won titles in 1944 and ’45. Later, Wood led the Lamoine Baseball Club featuring some of the top Eastern Maine talent that won a state championship and finished second another year when the club hosted the title tournament.
As coach of the Ellsworth Foxes in Little League for 15 years, he guided his young charges to nine championships and sent along many players to Ellsworth High and collegiate stardom.
Previously, he coached basketball (girls as well as boys) and baseball ten years at Thomaston High School and added short stints at summer, Ellsworth High and Georges Stevens Academy.
Wood was also atop basketball referee for over 20 years, working over 1,000 games, along with many years as a baseball umpire and as a long-time mailman he’s one of Ellsworth’s most popular citizens.”
The Ellsworth High School Alumni Association’s Endowment Fund stands at over $1,000,000. In June $30,000 in scholarships was awarded to fifteen graduating seniors and alumni. To contribute to the EHSAA Endowment Fund, send your check to EHSAA Endowment Fund – PO Box 11 – Ellsworth, ME 04605 or donate on-line at www.ellsworthalumni.org