Richmond roofer and singer-songwriter loved playing the guitar and exploring the outdoors
If you are reading this, I have gone to the great beyond. I was born and raised in Virginia by my parents, Hunter "Shorty" Melvin McCauley and Elfie Mae Summers McCauley. I had an older sister and great friend, Jackie Cooke, and her devoted husband, my wonderful brother-in-law, Sten. I attended McIntyre Elementary and the Miller School of Albemarle and graduated from Albemarle High. I learned the metal and slate roofing trades, as well as chain saw and lawn mower repair, from William E. "Bud" Sprouse, a mentor and father figure in my early years. In 1983, I moved to Vermont as a self-employed roofer, working in tin, galvanized metal and copper. I also did slate repair. When I wasn't roofing, I worked on post-and-beam construction, as well as trim and framing carpentry. I labored with several skilled contractors: Gary Bressor, John Devine and Barry Nelson. One winter, I hung drywall with Smokey Lyons. I lived with a blood cancer for 30 years, and for 28 of those, I was able to work full time and play volleyball three to four times a week, sometimes more. I enjoyed riding my mountain bike, exploring the woods around my home, and going to bluegrass festivals. But my favorite pastime was playing my guitar, and I wish to be remembered as a singer-songwriter. A few of my originals have been recorded with the help of Tom Walters. Some are funny, some sad. Mostly, they are about people and places that mattered to me during my lifetime. A sampling can be heard on my YouTube channel. I would like to thank my doctors, Chris Holmes and Robert Lobel, as well as all the nurses and hospital staff, for keeping me going for decades with their compassionate care. Thank you also to my friends John Devine, GC Morris and Cyrus Gile, who gave me countless rides to my appointments when I could no longer drive. I am grateful to Vicki and John Tilton in San Diego for all their phone visits; Nicole Davis, Anna Foltz and Sara McMahon for their help in so many different ways; and Sandy Bissell, Kathi Dunsmore and their families for their loving friendship over the years. For many summers, I was lucky to be welcomed into the family of Susan Lavigne, Mandy, Joe, Orion and Orson in the Adirondacks. We had good times singing around the campfire. I…
Richmond roofer and singer-songwriter loved playing the guitar and exploring the outdoors
If you are reading this, I have gone to the great beyond. I was born and raised in Virginia by my parents, Hunter "Shorty" Melvin McCauley and Elfie Mae Summers McCauley. I had an older sister and great friend, Jackie Cooke, and her devoted husband, my wonderful brother-in-law, Sten. I attended McIntyre Elementary and the Miller School of Albemarle and graduated from Albemarle High. I learned the metal and slate roofing trades, as well as chain saw and lawn mower repair, from William E. "Bud" Sprouse, a mentor and father figure in my early years. In 1983, I moved to Vermont as a self-employed roofer, working in tin, galvanized metal and copper. I also did slate repair. When I wasn't roofing, I worked on post-and-beam construction, as well as trim and framing carpentry. I labored with several skilled contractors: Gary Bressor, John Devine and Barry Nelson. One winter, I hung drywall with Smokey Lyons. I lived with a blood cancer for 30 years, and for 28 of those, I was able to work full time and play volleyball three to four times a week, sometimes more. I enjoyed riding my mountain bike, exploring the woods around my home, and going to bluegrass festivals. But my favorite pastime was playing my guitar, and I wish to be remembered as a singer-songwriter. A few of my originals have been recorded with the help of Tom Walters. Some are funny, some sad. Mostly, they are about people and places that mattered to me during my lifetime. A sampling can be heard on my YouTube channel. I would like to thank my doctors, Chris Holmes and Robert Lobel, as well as all the nurses and hospital staff, for keeping me going for decades with their compassionate care. Thank you also to my friends John Devine, GC Morris and Cyrus Gile, who gave me countless rides to my appointments when I could no longer drive. I am grateful to Vicki and John Tilton in San Diego for all their phone visits; Nicole Davis, Anna Foltz and Sara McMahon for their help in so many different ways; and Sandy Bissell, Kathi Dunsmore and their families for their loving friendship over the years. For many summers, I was lucky to be welcomed into the family of Susan Lavigne, Mandy, Joe, Orion and Orson in the Adirondacks. We had good times singing around the campfire. I…
