Elora won't be the same without David Wilcox

Music was his language. Sharing his voice with others was his gift.

It was a love of music that motivated Elora's David Wilcox throughout his life.

On May 30, Wilcox passed away suddenly as he left his home for a game of tennis. He was 81.

‘When David died, it changed things. Something like this, it changes the fabric of the community,” said Sara Salmona, co-owner of the Shepherd’s Pub where Wilcox would often perform.

“I moved to Elora 10 years ago and David was the first person I met. I saw him every day. I have 10 years of memories. He had such a great attitude. And if you needed anything, David was always there. All of us at Shepherd’s Pub are really going to miss him.”

Wilcox was in a band in the 1970s and over the years he continued to play music, whether it was busking in the Elora Mews courtyard, playing with friends at the Elora Legion or performing at the Shepherd’s Pub.

“David told the best jokes. He spoke Gaelic and he loved to sing. There was one Irish song he would always sing, Grace. He was such a romantic at heart,” Salmona said.

The heart-wrenching ballad tells the true story of Grace Gifford and Joseph Plunkett who were married in Kilmainham Gaol, just hours before Plunkett was executed by firing squad for his role in the Easter Rising of 1916.

“I lived in Ireland for a couple of years and I studied Irish history, so we had that in common,” Salmona said.

Wilcox was known as a traditional Shanachie and told stories of Celtic lore through song.

Some of his musical favourites included Jimmy Rogers, Van Morrison, Christy Moore and The Band.

Wilcox will be missed by his wife Patti, his family and his many friends from across Canada and the world.

“I first met David and Patti over 20 years ago, introduced by my lovely partner, Lee-Ann,” says close friend, Graham John Miles.

“We immediately connected through a shared love of photography and guitars and having grown up during much of the traditional folk revival in the UK, I was able to converse with him on his other love, Celtic music.”

Along with his musical talents, Wilcox was also a luthier and he enjoyed building and repairing musical instruments.

“David was also an instrument maker and a craftsman, always ready to help out with a renovation project. He built kitchen cabinets for me, walls and counter tops. His paintwork was worthy of the Sistine Chapel. You name it, he’d do it and if he didn’t know how, he’d find out pretty quick and be there to help,” Miles said.

“You might say he was a renaissance man who could turn his hand to anything. Need a guitar built? Picture framed? Cabinet built? Wall painted and then a beautiful photograph to put on it? David could do all that.”

Miles said Wilcox was skilled in all three arts which was always a delight to see.

“I could never match his virtuosity on string and voice, but we would often head out with our cameras looking for inspiration in the local countryside. David photographed gorgeous landscapes, many of which have been exhibited in local Elora shows,” Miles said. “He captured exquisite images of the town itself, rising in the early hours to catch those golden light moments photographers adore.”

Wilcox was a Buddhist.

He and his sister were raised by their single mother in Winnipeg. His maternal grandfather was from Dublin and his maternal grandmother was Metis and French Canadian. In his early life, Wilcox served in the Canadian military and learned surveying in the artillery. He then worked as a newsie on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Afterwards, he worked in Toronto, laying tunnels. He loved trains but he also earned a pilot’s licence and flew planes and gliders.

A door handle, made by Wilcox, stands as a reminder of a dear friend at the Shepherd’s Pub.

“David was spiritual, and he loved nature. He always had a great attitude. He just loved life. And he loved to perform, especially on St. Patrick’s Day,” Salmona said.

Music was in his blood.

“His musical skills were available to all on summer weekends as he busked in the local streets and he was a regular balladeer at St. Patrick’s celebrations,” Miles said.

“Whether it be stories, songs, jigs, reels, he had a deep and never-ending repertoire of the music that was so much a part of his blood.”

His energy was infectious.

“When I learned that he succumbed at the age of 81, I was only mildly surprised. That was him, vibrant and energetic to the end,” Miles says.

“It’s been a pleasure knowing you David. I’ll miss you. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat ... safe journey to you.”