Rev Michael Eric Woodcock

Reverend Michael E. Woodcock

Reverend Michael E. Woodcock passed away May 29, 2016, in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Reverend Michael E. Woodcock was born on December 30, 1944, in Liverpool, England. Fr. Mike, as well as his mother and his sister, Barbara, came to America where he enrolled in St. James Elementary School in Orlando, FL. He attended High School at Bishop Moore and was impacted by Reverend John Wells and Reverend Peter Dolan. In 1963, Fr. Mike entered the St. John’s Home Missions Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was ordained at St. Margaret Mary, his home parish in Winter Park, FL, on May 12, 1973.

After being newly ordained, his first parish was St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Fort Pierce, FL, in which he was an Associate Pastor. He not only served the church, but Fr. Mike was also School Pastor and taught at John Carroll Catholic High School for five years. It was during these years that by the grace of God he met Ralph McFarland (R.G.) and raised him as his foster son. R.G. later married Laura Hoeffner and through R. G. and Laura, Fr. Mike was blessed with four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He developed a wonderful and long lasting love for the people of St. Anastasia Parish and Fort Pierce, FL.

While in the seminary, he received a degree in Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati and a Master’s Degree in Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University of Baltimore. He furthered his education and received a Master’s Degree in Religious Education Administration in San Francisco, CA. Fr. Mike also had a passion for teaching. He taught at Biscayne College in Miami for two years before his Priestly Ordination. In the mid to late 70’s, Fr. Mike taught at John Carroll Catholic High School. In 1978 he was assigned to the Chancellery for the Diocese of Orlando as Superintendent and Director of Religious Education. Fr. Mike served as Principal of Melbourne Central Catholic High School and as School Pastor of Cardinal Newman Catholic High School in West Palm Beach, FL. He returned to Fort Pierce to teach at Indian River State College for six years.

Prior to retiring as pastor of St. Anastasia Catholic Church in 2002, Fr. Mike also served other parishes. He was Associate Pastor at St. Thomas Moore in Boynton
Beach, FL, Pastor at St. Juliana of West Palm Beach, FL, St. Edwards of Palm Beach, FL and Queen Apostle in Royal Palm Beach, FL. While at St. Edwards, he was chosen to carry the 1996 Olympic Torch, which the family still holds and remembers today.

During his final years, he lived at Port St. Lucie Nursing and Restorative Care Center in an environment of caring people who were so wonderful to him. His faith in God allowed him to continuously minister faith and love to those around him. His faith and love of his family, son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the rock in which he stood. Fr. Mike lived a life of uncountable joys and many trials, but he was grateful for all of them. Death held no fear for Fr. Mike for he is now with the Lord and knows that God’s mercy will be with you.
Fr. Mike is survived by his sister, Barbara Joslin of Mulberry, FL and her son, Christopher Woodcock; foster son and daughter-in-law, R.G. (Ralph) and Laura McFarland of Fort Pierce, FL; grandchildren, Cynthia (Casey) Mitchell of Trenton, FL, Deanna (Austin) Bryant of Zolfo Springs, FL, Michael (Rebekah) McFarland of Fort Pierce, FL, Kevin J. McFarland of Jamestown, NY; great-grandchildren, Briar Mitchell, Gabe Mitchell, Matthew McFarland, Russell Bryant, Michael McFarland, Jr., Warren Bryant, Maybree McFarland and Everett Bryant.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Fr. Mike to St. Anastasia Catholic Church.

Services: A visitation and wake service will be Thursday, June 2, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Haisley Funeral Home Chapel, Fort Pierce. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 10:30 AM at St. Anastasia Catholic Church.