Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he grew up in New York City and graduated from Columbia University.
Prior to furthering his education, Mr. Woolfe served as an airman in World War II as a member of the US Army Air Corps. From 1942 to 1945 he completed 47 missions navigating a B-24 bomber over enemy strongholds in the South Pacific islands.
Following his military service, he married Mary Elaine Watts, the best friend of his sister Doris Woolfe. The marriage would end in divorce a few years later.
Mr. Woolfe embarked upon a career in the paper industry and become a top salesman, retiring in 1990.