Philanthropist, Industrialist, Publisher and Former Brighton Business Man Dies at Age 77

Ronald J. Woods, a former Brighton area business owner, died on May 25 in his Palm Beach home at the age of 77.  

Woods, a native of Detroit, was a philanthropist, industrialist and publisher, according to an online obituary.  

Read the full obituary here.

In 1967, with a degree in chemical engineering from Notre Dame University, Woods borrowed $20,000 and launched Thermofil Inc. to develop and manufacture formulations for injection moldings of plastic parts used in the automotive, appliance, business equipment and construction industries.  

Woods sold the Brighton-based company in 1989 and moved to Florida where he increased his philanthropy, according to the obituary, including the Bootstrap Ranch, a high school for disadvantaged urban youth from around the country.  

A memorial will be held for Woods later this summer.