Obituary for
Woodrow J. Maxwell
Maxwell, Woodrow J.
Professor Emeritus
Hudson Valley Community College
Woodrow J. Maxwell, 76, of Rensselaer, passed away suddenly on Monday, June 18, 2018. The son of the late Woodrow and Mary Gibbons Maxwell, he was raised in Howes Cave, NY and graduated from Cobleskill High School. Woody graduated cum laude from Siena College and received his J.D. from Albany Law School.
He taught Business Law and Mortuary Law at Hudson Valley Community College where he was employed for over 40 years, retiring in January, 2007. Woody was also a partner in the law firm of Milham, Maney, Maxwell and Elliott and eventually had his own law practice. He was also the Sunday organist at Historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albany for 38 years.
Woody was married to Karen S. Surprise on December 22, 1979. Together they enjoyed traveling to New Hampshire, Cape Cod and Florida especially to explore antique shops.
In addition to Karen, Woody is survived by his sister, Mary Anne (John) Yates, sister-in-law, Kristine D. Maxwell, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers, Marvin Maxwell and David C. Maxwell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 10 Lodge Street, Albany, NY. Interment will be at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Delator Road, Latham, NY.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 10 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207; the Professor Woodrow J. and Karen S. Maxwell Business Administration Scholarship Fund, HVCC Foundation, 80 Vandenburgh Avenue, Troy, NY 12180; or Circles of Mercy, 11 Washington Street, Rensselaer, NY 12144
