August 27, 1949 – October 1, 2022
Christopher Lee Wood left us on October 1, 2022, after valiant resistance to cancer. He spent his last days surrounded by loved ones: his partner, Eddie; daughter, Briana; stepson, Nino; and sisters Sherri and Pam. In his final days, friends and family near and far showered him with loving messages, funny stories, videos and music.
A traveler through and through, he and Eddie had just returned from a six-week stay in Europe, where they reunited with family in the Canary Islands and walked for hours every day on the cobblestone streets of Paris in search of the perfect croissant.
Chris was known for many things. He was a lifelong learner of language and culture, maker of instruments, and creator of music. He enjoyed mastering home improvement projects and installed state-of-the-art sound systems in theaters, private homes, and as a gift for many friends. He was also a lifelong prankster. In high school, he invented a way to turn back the school clocks by five minutes each period to get out of school early. He also infamously drove his high school principal’s car into the fountain at the American School in Paris, where he and his family were living at the time.
Chris was a child of the ’60s and ’70s. A philosopher, wayfarer, musician, gastronomist, linguist and inventor. As one friend said, “my conversations with Chris were never long enough or ever finished.”
Chris was the creator and leader of Ashland’s own samba band, Samba Like it Hot, which made its mark in Ashland’s history. He will be remembered for his talent by band members and with gratitude by generations of locals for the lively tone the samba band brought to the 4th of July, Halloween, and Gay Pride parades for more than two decades.
The world without Chris is a less colorful place. Chris was a generous and fun-loving friend, beloved father, and wonderful partner. His smile, laugh, and enthusiasm for life were contagious. In the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “Toutes les grandes personnes ont d’abord été des enfants. Mais peu d’entre elles s’en souviennent” (“All grown-ups were children first. But few of them remember”). Chris was one of those few adults who never lost his childlike spark.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to cycleforsurvival.org, the movement to beat rare cancers.
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