Leonard Woods

Leonard Woods, who was born on 20 April 1959, left Bangor Grammar School after taking his A-Levels in 1977, having joined Connor House in P7, eight years earlier. He died on 5 July 2016 40 after a life marked by two periods of serious illness, which he overcame before his final long sickness with serious heart problems and much surgery.

As someone I met during our mutual first year in the BGS environment, who was part of a lot of his music-making in and out of school, I remember him fondly not only as a fine musician and music-lover, but also as a kind, humorous, generous, good-natured and thoroughly good person. He was a singer, pianist and a trombonist and his musicianship showed in all his musical life, including his keen interest in church organs in their various guises.

It is as a trombonist I remember his sense of mischief. At a Spring concert I announced him and his trombone solo, a movement, I think, from the Rimsky-Korsakov Trombone Concerto. However, Leonard did not appear. After a few seconds someone went off running to find him and eventually Leonard entered the Assembly Hall, a little out of breath. He smiled, then played beautifully. I understood later that, contrary to school rules, a readily available relaxant, sold in packets of 20, might have played a part in his delayed arrival!

Of his humour, somewhere I keep the large Christmas card Leonard sent me years ago. On its seasonal but secular front it says: “It’s that time of year again and we all know what that means”. Open the card and the message reads: “Bells, Bills and Balls!” Enough said.

People often write and say such lovely things about the dead, much of it exaggerated, but this is not the case with Leonard. About him nothing can be overstated. He was a gentle gentleman who talked a lot, yet lived by the simple rule “If you can’t say something good about someone, say nothing”.

I admired him greatly, not least during these past two years or so when we exchanged emails and included some photographs and links to music we thought the other would like. During all this he remained optimistic. We talked about him coming out to Spain for a rest when he was sufficiently well, and he told me how he spoke to his nurses about this, always full of hope. He wrote just as I recall him speaking.

Leonard enjoyed success professionally in the world of banking and his computer expertise saw him travel within the UK and took him to the Isle of Man frequently on business. Happily he saw his family successful in life: his wife, Hilary, as Principal of Antrim Grammar School, his daughter, Carol, in England, and his sons at home. Simon was Head Boy at RBAI (2015-2016), while Mark has already had success in musical theatre. He was a justifiably proud husband and father.

To them, his twin sister and other sisters, and the wider family circle, I sympathise in their sadness, rejoice in his life and find solace that he is no longer ill. Leonard, RIP.

Ian Hunter