Tuesday, March 29, 2022
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A few personal memories of our much-loved friend Nick:
Nick was a truly kind and sensitive soul and Incredibly perceptive person—He had an uncanny sense of the value of things, like art for example: the Native American hand beaded converse sneakers that he paid a fortune for—an investment as he called it that left us wondering at the sense of such a costly purchase. Recently sold at auction for triple the amount; somehow he always knew and was always right! Even though we scratched our heads ALL of his investment speculations turned out great, like the shrubs he planted along his driveway…we wondered how they would ever look—and 20+ years later—they are a living fence—15 ft. high—a perfect hedge blocking the garden from the driveway! In his way, Nick always had a vision for things that always turned out great!
The pride and joy of his life was his daughter Julia—he loved Julia more than anything or anyone on the planet. This is apparent in all his best attributes that she inherited from her upbringing with him. After that, I think he loved our son Stuart like his own son—“Uncle Nick” as we all called him, was a real Uncle to Stuart. He Played with him, teased him, and encouraged him as a child and as an adult, was his confidant and friend. Up until the last, Stuart enjoyed a special relationship with Uncle Nick--sharing personal (and naughty?) information-- not with his parents-- only with Uncle Nick. They both loved sharing stories about snooker, pool, cards, and getting the best over on their opponents. They were two of a kind!
Nick was good at everything he put his hand to. He was a talented graphic artist, painter and digital illustrator. He made us amazingly funny cards for birthdays and special events. During our years living in NYC his abstract copper geometric painting hung always on our living room wall. He was always tuned-into ways to make his friends happy—always happy to cheerfully lend a hand and go out of his way for friends like us. I will never forget how Nick helped me install my 14’ft bamboo sculpture in Wildflower Sculpture Park in the Essex County Park Maplewood and how he supported all our artistic efforts, exhibitions, and crazy ideas.
In the 30 plus years I knew Nick, I never saw him EVER wear anything other than loafers. He loved loafers. And button down shirts, even in 90-degree temperatures. I don’t think he owned any t-shirts.
Nick wasn’t just a friend, he was family to us. We saw the Lester-Taylors in so many places over the years--NYC, NJ, Upstate NY, and Florida. Latterly we moved to the UK and sadly, because of Covid, we didn’t see them for the past two years which makes losing him all the more difficult for us. In our minds we still expect him to be there in Maplewood but in fact, although gone from physical form, from now on he will live-on in our hearts.
Kathy Bruce
