Elwood 'Woody' Backensto

Elwood "Woody" Backensto, age 90 of West Deptford, passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at Shady Lane Home in Clarksboro, NJ. Born in Emmaus, PA he was the son of the late Lloyd B. Backensto and Mary (Bortz) Backensto.

Woody was the husband of the late Jean (Runkle) Backensto who passed at an early age and then the late Gladys DuPell. He is survived by his three devoted sons, Bruce (Kim) Backensto of Beaver Falls, PA; Roger (Sandra) Backensto of Trenton, SC; and Brian (Sandra/Holly) Backensto of West Deptford, NJ; and stepson James (Shirley) DuPell of West Deptford, NJ; 15 loving grandchildren & 14 great grandchildren.

Woody received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University and spent his entire career as Manager of Materials Engineering at Mobil Oil R & D in Paulsboro, NJ where he was responsible for many patents and awards. He was also the Past President of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers.

A longtime resident of Woodbury, Woody served as Director of the City Parks and Recreation Commission and was one of the founders of the Woodbury Little League and oversaw the development of the Babe Ruth complex on Red Bank Avenue. He was also the Phillies number one fan and never missed a game on TV or the radio. As a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church at Woodbury, he served as Trustee, Elder, and Church Historian and was involved in the formation of Boy Scout Troop 7 which met at the church for years. He also researched and published three editions of the Backenstoss Family Genealogy and in 1993 hosted a "Roots Trip" to Rafz Switzerland with almost 50 family members.

Woody loved spending time with family in Stone Harbor at his summer home where he could be found most mornings in his boat "Das Holz" which stands for "The Wood", in the back bay fishing for flounder. He was also an accomplished jazz musician, earning his way through college playing the trumpet in various dance bands. He later became close friends with his boyhood idol, Red Nichols. His other passions included golfing, bowling, and card playing of any kind. He was an avid Bridge player and enjoyed playing Cribbage with his extended family almost every day during his golden years.


The family will receive visitors Friday 7 to 9pm at DAVIS & WAGNER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES 171 Delaware St. Woodbury, N.J. and Saturday 10am until the service at 11am at the Presbyterian Church at Woodbury 67 South Broad Street Woodbury, NJ 08096. Donations would be appreciated in lieu of flowers for the Presbyterian Church at Woodbury Memorial Fund. Memories and condolences shared at daviswagner.com

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