BRO submission by Kathryn Buchnowski:
One of the most talented, longtime local keyboard players and artists Nestor J. Wood passed away Tuesday after a yearlong battle with cancer. Starting at the age of 14, Ned played non-stop at either home or on stage until just a couple of weeks before his death. He played with the group Weekend, which had two songs hit nationwide; “Everyday” and “Together”.
The group split for a twenty-year period, but reunited in 1998 playing at Gateway and other venues across Western New York, bringing their great music to a whole new generation of listeners. Their harmony was well known and widely respected as top among their WNY band peers. “Ned” is responsible for being the first local musician to use the Moog synthesizer in his live and recorded playing. He was an accomplished songwriter, writing many of the songs performed by the groups he shared the stage with since1967. As humble and gifted as he was, Ned continued to grow as a musician by learning how to ‘finally’ read music. He also picked up and played new instruments whenever he was able. Some of the bands Ned gratefully and happily shared the spotlight with were 33West, Josey Waverly, Beatlemagic, and until very recently, The BBC Band. He was somewhat of a perfectionist when it came to recording and performing, but as one former band member so aptly put it, “Without someone like Ned being ‘as he was’, his professional skills and perfectionist habits… without him it’s all utter chaos!”
Students, faculty, and visitors who pass the 7’x 60′ “Spirit of Life” Mural on the Buffalo State campus might be interested to know that Ned Wood was the artist who painted it. He also painted the Endangered Species Room at the Buffalo Museum of Science as well as other commercial commissions done over the past few decades. Ned was a very talented oil painter as well as a designer. He was the sexton for St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church on Eggert Rd. in the Town of Tonawanda. After the church’s recent move from its former location on Brighton Rd, Ned took on the daunting task of designing and building the altar and lighting for the church. The altar accompanies a series of Ned’s works that he painted while working for St. Bart’s.
On the day of his funeral this Saturday, a painting (needing just those last couple of Ned’s ‘finishing touches’) will be unveiled and given to the church as a last ‘thank you’ (from Ned) to the church he so loved and to its devoted people and caring pastor, Fr. Commins.
It’s a sure thing that Ned’s talent will be very, very missed in Buffalo. What will be missed as much will be the man himself… all the little facets that made up the funny, silly, caring, compassionate, understanding friend who always looked at things in a different way and made you see the sunshine through the clouds overhead.
From this writer and his many, many fans and friends – thanks for the treasures you have left behind Ned… you are truly appreciated and loved.