The first of what will be a number of memorial events for the late Gary Wickizer, known widely by his stage name, Mo’ Kauffey, will happen Sunday afternoon at one of the musician’s former haunts.
Musician Kent MacMillan, along with the members of the Max Bent Band, are spearheading a musical event at the Woolwich Arrow, 176 Woolwich Street. One of Guelph’s most popular pubs and local music venues, it was the home of Mo’ Kauffey’s weekly Blues Sunday gig.
As a commercial painter, Wickizer also did several painting jobs for The Wooly over the years.
The popular folk-blues singer-songwriter passed away last Saturday evening. He was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer late last summer. The cancer spread to his lungs and bones.
Throughout the months spent in chemotherapy treatment he continued to perform at every opportunity, including at a November fundraising event in his honour at the Royal Electric Bar and Public Eatery in downtown Guelph. His last public performance was a few days before his death.
Wickizer died peacefully at his home on Willow Road in the city, at the age of 63. He is survived by his wife, Rosita, daughter Krista, and grandson Cole.
Born and raised in the foothills of Colorado, where he first learned to sing and play guitar, Wickizer moved to Guelph about 15 years ago for love. He became a mainstay in the local music scene of southern Ontario. His ashes will be returned to Colorado.
“Mo didn’t want a funeral, but we still need to have some sort of memorial, both for Rosie and the community,” said MacMillan, a long-time friend of Wickizer’s. “It’s about closure and it’s about healing for everybody.”
Members of Wickizer’s family will be in attendance at The Wooly for the event, which runs from 2-5 p.m. It is likely that the venue will be packed. MacMillan requests that visitors rotate through to allow everyone who wishes to do so the opportunity to greet family members and offer condolences.
“If it does get crazy busy in there, I would like people to give others a chance to pay their respects and rotate through the place, even through they may want to stay and hang out,” MacMillan added.
A book will be on hand to offer sympathies, well-wishes, and reflections on Mo. And a donation box will be set out to support the man’s family.
“There are going to be ongoing memorials and tributes for Mo as time goes on,” MacMillan added. “Everybody wants to do their part to celebrate his life.”
Later Sunday evening, the monthly Cornerstone Campfire Session at The Cornerstone, 1 Wyndham Street, will also be dedicated to Wickizer. Tunes will be offered up in honour of him. The event is usually packed. It starts at 9 p.m. MacMillan is also doing a memorial next Friday night in Oakville.
“I thought it was important to have one through the day that would serve more as a semi-formal memorial with the family there,” MacMillan said of the Woolwich Arrow event. “These kinds of things are important to the healing process, especially to those closest to him.”
A number of musicians will offer songs at the afternoon event.
