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Mike
Naylon
Kerry Law Portrait of Mike Naylon 2002

About

Mike

Naylon

Kerry Law Portrait 09-28-2002

About

Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Mike was one of seven children. Early on we knew Mike was gifted as he was a voracious reader with a fabulous curiosity. After graduating from Kenmore West Senior High at the very top of his class, Mike enrolled at SUNY Binghamton, where his love of music would flourish as a DJ, and later the Manager of the college radio station WHRW.

Mike had a spirit, enthusiasm, and outsized generosity - ready to share anything that he loved with others. Mike had many guises - artist, musicologist, collector, filmmaker, paralegal, proofreader, rollerblader, Coney Island swimmer, surfer, vegan cook, and inventor. An avid concert goer, nothing excited Mike more than the prospect of an upcoming show or seeing an African band on a hot afternoon at Union Pool. His enthusiasm—or more correctly, zeal—was amazing. He always seemed to know performers, promoters, and venue operators. If he didn't, he would seek them out after the show and sometimes give them one of his creations - like a silk-screened tote bag or button. He was a fan and unafraid to show it.

The many things he loved, he loved a lot.

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Mike'S Spotify
Playlist

Listen on Spotify

The Spotify playlist was created to showcase the various genres of music Mike was passionate about throughout his life. From his early teens, Mike took to under-the-radar musicians and was adamant about sharing them with friends. Mike's musical tastes were vast and personal, with a curated collection which was always a source of pride with passion.

As a manager at Binghamton's radio station WHRW, Mike was able to connect with like-minded college students, many of whom he stayed friends with for years to come.

This list will be updated frequently and, in the spirit of a radio station, requests are welcomed.

WORDS FROM
Friends

Mike is a brother of my son-in-law Dan. In 2001, he was a great help in my campaign for New York City Council. At that time, I have been serving on the Community School Board for 10 years. The struggle to improve the quality of education for the children was difficult. The physical limitations of space left some students no choice but to sit in the auditorium after lunch. Small groups were taught in a foyer in front of a teachers’ bathroom in PS 89 in Elmhurst. I was trying to find ways to better serve the underrepresented students and parents by running for a seat on the New York City Council, and that’s when Mike came to help. Mike not only helped in collecting signatures to get me on the ballot, but also spoke on my behalf on occasions. He was an articulate speaker and I received many votes. However we couldn’t beat the political machine. After the election, they redrew the district map and carved my neighborhood out. Since then we each went on with our busy lives although I wish we had stayed in touch more. I feel indebted to him for what he did with the meager pay that was available then. One afternoon towards the end of the campaign when I was told to close the account that same day with some donated money left, I couldn’t get in touch with him to give him the money. Regrettably it all went to the lawyer. A few years later, some new school buildings were constructed and old ones renovated. The extreme overcrowding was slightly alleviated.. Our efforts were not in vain. Mike will always be remembered fondly for his kindness and energy. May he rest in peace in our Heavenly Father’s arms.
Louisa Chan
I first met Mike during our middle school years. Through high school at KW, college at SUNY-B, we kept rotating in and out of friend groups. One of Mike’s attributes that hasn’t been mentioned here, yet, was his remarkable memory, for information, yes, but more impressively, for moments he shared with pretty much anyone who he knew: he remembered more about an incident we had with the extremely unhelpful Buffalo police officer A. Ortiz when a pothole took me down as we rode our bike to Home of the Hits one summer day when we were 16 or 17 (Mike would’ve remembered exactly)…
Tom Fitzgerald
He was a great spirit who loved music with all his heart and soul. He will be missed by so many people.
Tom Rigney