Oscar N Elliot

ELLIOT - Oscar (Sara-Elliot Oscar Nym) passed away on June 27, 2022 in Buffalo, NY. Oscar was born in Burlington, VT on May, 9 1987 to Debra (Thomas) Burhans and the late William C. Burhans. Oscar is survived by their mother, Debra and sister, Molly Burhans of Buffalo, NY; aunts, and uncles, Mary Thomas (Fred Witkin), Peter Burhans (Crystal), Buzz Burhans (Chris Rossiter), David Burhans (Jeanette), and Barbara Burhans, and Burhans cousins Dawn, Daniel, David, Christopher, Ben, Kelsey, Heather, and Grace. Oscar attended Mount St. Joseph Academy, City Honors School, and graduated in 2005 from The Park School of Buffalo. They received a BA in Comparative Literature from Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges. Oscar trained at the Neglia Conservatory of Ballet from 1995-2005 and attended summer programs at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Oscar had a lifelong passion for dance and music. Oscar attended cosmetology school at The Salon Professional Academy and graduated from the Buffalo School of Cosmetology and Barbering in 2019. Oscar saw hair styling as a science and an art. They were exceptionally talented with artistic and novel uses of hair color. They believed hair could empower and engender confidence and joy in people from all walks of life. Oscar generously provided hair services to many friends for little or no money, especially to LGBTQ+ and neuro-divergent individuals who might not have felt comfortable or welcome in a salon or might have lacked the means to access one. Oscars talent for visual art extended beyond the salon chair. They created numerous multi-media works, particularly collages, whose designs were inspired by the human condition and psyche, including their own emotional states. Some of their art addressed issues of social and economic justice. They were inspired by the beauty around them, from the landscapes they spent many hours walking through to their favorite movies and shows, with a special fondness for Totoro. Oscar was a voracious reader, they particularly enjoyed the writing of Jorge Luis Borges and Italo Calvino. Oscar suffered from severe mental illness. Despite their struggles, they were known by those around them as a generous friend, a creative spirit, and a loving presence. Oscar will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved them. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an inclusive and accessible local arts organization or to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)