Our cherished and extraordinary father Eric John passed away on December 8, 2022, age 90 in hospital in Windsor, Ontario Canada. He was the eldest son of Jack and Eva (Edney) Mainwaring, dearest brother to Charles Robert and sister Evelyn Mary, husband to the late Bernice (nee Shepherd), brother-in-law to Jean and the late great Dennis Shepherd and the late inimitable John Gately (Evelyn). Father to Lynda, John (Denise), and Michelle (Glen Hartley). Grandfather to John (Kristy) and Jayson (Amy) Mainwaring and Noah Hartley (Skyla). Great grandfather to Marina, uncle to Tracy (Neil), Alistair (Julie) & Graham (Trish) Shepherd, Kenneth (Bethany) and Richard Gately, Luke (Alesha) and Madeline (Thomas). Great uncle to Sophie and Autumn (Kimm) Ghostkeeper and Oliver (grandma Lorraine), William (Kiah), Katie (Jack), and James Lambert, and Luke, Sam, Chloe, and Harry Shepherd. Deeply loved cousin to many Mainwarings and Edneys in the U.K
Mainwaring forever friends Trish and Tab Warne, Hilary, Pam, Nigel, the late Phil, and their parents Elsie and Geoff Warne–they all knew Eric since he was a young lad. The Mainwaring-Warne connection dates back hundreds of years to their great grandfathers. Tab was born when Eric was 14 in Red Lumb, a small Lancashire village. Tab and Eric were brothers in life and spent numerous hours creating music and memories together. Elsie was the first to show Eric how to blow a trumpet and Geoff, a technical genius, gave Eric trumpet lessons.
Eric was a treasured in-law and friend of Joan and Richard Hartley. He enjoyed playing his trumpet while Joan played the piano. Together, they brought music to life in their homes and in church. Christmas eve resounded with hymns, love, laughter and fellowship.
Cherished friend and companion of Victoria Michie and family, Gordon, Robert, and the late Susie and Jim and their families. He had a special place in the hearts of those who loved him dearly and took the time to visit with him like Frank, Sylvio and Peter, Fabian, Gino, Fouad, Richard Lewis and Betty Lou Dube who always cherished him and called him ‘handsome’ dad. He was a treasured pal of Pete and Cary Thomas who shared many laughs and memories over many years.
He was part of the old guard Windsor cycling community with cherished long-time friends John and Mavis Julian, Gordan Way and family, the incomparable Eric and Mary Nadin and family, Vince Del Duca, Keith Taylor, and Dr. Henry Fortuna to name just a few of the great gentlemen cyclists. He was a friend to so many in the community with whom he laughed, played, learned, and worked. A member of St. Marks-by-the-Lake musical family. He proudly played in the choir with his friends (special thanks to Bev Watson and Angie Touvinen) and much respected musicians Andrea Morosin and Christian Paulton. He played with many members of the Canadian and American Federation of Musicians and local bands throughout the years. He was a founding member of the Windsor Banjo Club, member of the Silver Ambassadors Concert Band, past member of Branch 594 Legion, Windsor Cycling Club and the West Pennine Road club in his home county of Lancashire, where he was local junior champion, hero and legend. Many dear friends in the U.K. and around the world will miss him greatly.
Eric was an international entertainer on stage, radio, TV, film, and theatre. His talents as a crowd-captivating M.C. and musical comedian were much in demand, which led him to become the opening act for many celebrities such as Donny and Marie Osmond, Dionne Warwick, and Paul Anka among others. He was an exceptional musician playing in night clubs around the world and working in the early years at the famous Cavern night club where he was booked by Brian Epstein with his Dixieland jazz band, the Wolverines. That name is engraved on a brick on the tribute wall amidst all the greats including the Quarrymen (later known as the Beatles) and Jerry Dorsey (later Engelbert Humperdink), who played at the Cavern in Liverpool in the 1950s/60s.
He entertained locally at the Top Hat Supper Club, the Elmwood Casino and for over 12 years at Lee’s Imperial Tavern with his Imperial Jazz band. He even had a fan club! He contributed his talents at innumerable charity events, and played the last post for many veterans. He loved to play his horn at church. He was a talented comedian and musician with exceptional ‘timing.’ Parts of Eric’s talents and storied life have been documented by local author Jessie Jennings in an upcoming book, The Life and Times of Musicians in Es County. Eric was inducted into the Es County Music Hall of Fame with a music recognition award in 2019
Eric and his wife, Bernice, raised three children of whom they were very proud. Their first born, Lynda Mary learned a great deal from her father including expert cycling skills. They rode many miles touring the Yorkshire Dales, Wales and Scotland together. The last ride they had in England was along the Golden Mile from Clevely’s to Blackpool on a glorious summer day in 2018. It was magical. Lynda’s international reputation as an expert in her field in injury and rehabilitation psychology and sport concussion research served her well for adopting the role of primary caregiver to her father in the last few years of his life. She ensured that he stayed in the family home that he loved and for which he worked so hard all his life. Eric was extremely proud of Lynda and all her achievements and often expressed his gratitude for the extensive care she provided.
In 1963, when the family emigrated, his son John Elkin carried his dad’s trumpet across the Atlantic by plane with great care. John became a musician in his own right and has played many clubs across Es County. On occasion Eric played with his son’s band Look’n Back (Bob, Murray, Frank and John) and always brought the house down. One evening, three generations of Mainwarings raised the roof at the Moose Lodge, Eric on trumpet, his son John on saxophone and Jayson his grandson on harmonica. Eric was very proud of his son, not just for his musical accomplishments but also for his skilled trade and practical knowledge in research and development and management.
Michelle Jayne, his youngest and an award-winning actress, pursued a full-time professional career in the entertainment industry. She also has stage, radio, TV, film, and theatre credits to her name and can be seen performing musical comedy in ‘The Rum Runners Tour’. She has been delighting audiences for the past 30 years with her comedy dinner theatres, locally and across Ontario. On occasion, Michelle and her dad would perform side by side, he with his trumpet and she with her inherited quick wit. Her career stems from being “bitten by the bug” early in life after witnessing her father receive thunderous standing ovations time and again.
Eric’s talents never ceased. He was also a “mighty” cyclist, tool and die fitter, sales manager for a number of local plastics manufacturing firms and, as a young man, an engine fitter for the Royal Air Force in the U.K. He was stationed in Egypt and many will know that he chose to ride his bicycle back to Lancashire, England. He flew to Malta, and then to Sicily from where he took 2-3 weeks to cycle home to Rochdale, Lancashire. The second day after his return, the fit, sun-tanned Eric went into town on his bicycle where he met a breath-takingly beautiful nurse in uniform, Bernice Shepherd, who was on her way home from work. Her very first words to him were “Eeeh, that’s a grand pair of legs you have there lad”, and the rest is history: they were married at St. Clements Church, Spotland, and thereafter Lynda, John and Michelle were born.
Eric and Bernice decided to emigrate to Canada. He left by ship from Liverpool docks in May 1963 to find work and a home for his family. Bernice, Lynda and John followed six weeks later. His sister Evelyn, brother Bob and his mum and dad (Eva and Jack) and many friends followed in Eric’s footsteps and relocated to Canada. He was a true pioneer and adventurer. A tremendous trumpet player with a superb, sweet tone. He was awestruck when he met his hero Louis Armstrong at the Anderdon Tavern in Amherstburg. Eric and Louis talked about jazz and the music scene in England in the great Satchmo’s dressing room. Eric’s Louis Armstrong impersonation was second to none. Eric’s incredible legacy will live on long after leaving this “Wonderful World.”
The family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers who came into his home and not only cared for him but talked with him, listened to him, loved and admired him. Heartfelt thanks to Rev. Jack Dressler (and Eileen) for his love, wisdom, friendship and support to his friend Eric and his family. We are forever grateful to you and Father Rob Lemon, who shared his generosity of spirit and humour with all of us. Words cannot describe the love and gratitude Eric had for Trish Warne who provided exceptional care for him with unreserved kindness, tenderness and love throughout the years especially in his final days. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Trish.
Eric, his music, wit, professionalism, work ethic and his charm will be missed by many people around the world; his family will miss him deeply. He has left an indelible musical mark, many lessons and a deep love of life and family.
Remembering Eric Mainwaring
Visitation 3-8 pm on Tuesday Dec. 20th, 2022 and a 20- minute service under the auspices of the Windsor Veteran’s Memorial Service Committee during the visitation time at 4:30 pm at Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, 519-969-5841. On Wednesday December 21st, family and friends are invited to meet at St. Mark’s by the Lake (150 St. Mark’s Rd. Tecumseh) after 10 am followed by funeral service at 11am.
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2022
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Eric John Mainwaring 2022 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
Death notice for the town of: Amherstburg, Province: Ontario