Francis Dunnery used to come out on stage and announce his own show by saying “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Amazing Francis Dunnery.” The fans would cheer, friends would laugh and his intimates would mumble “he’s at it again”.

Several years ago my beautiful little sister Kelly was diagnosed with Leukemia. When I told Francis about Kelly’s illness, like so many friends he suggested that we go visit her. However, there is a difference between Francis and the others. While they paid lip service, Francis actually showed up and several times at that.

Prior to his first visit to the hospital, Francis and Kelly had never met. But, they fell in like old chums in no time. Francis showed up with his guitar played Licking On My Chocolate Heart and many songs from his catalog. He even threw a few Wings and Peter Gabriel songs into the mix.

My sister was moved beyond words. Through the haze of various medications she smiled like a child on Christmas morning. Her’s had always been a smile that came straight from God and Francis lit it up like I had not seen in a while.

During these visits to Kelly, Francis was dealing with his own struggles and obligations. He was just releasing The Gulley Flats Boys, touring in Europe, taking care of his beautiful daughter Eva and traveling to Northern England where his own brother Barry was terminally ill. But it was important to him to do what his heart told him. It is a big heart and it kept him busy.

There was one occasion where Francis and I realized our schedules wouldn’t permit us to visit my sister together so he went to the hospital on his own. Francis was not just showing up for me, but for his new friend Kelly.

My sister Justine came on a weekday afternoon for one of her many weekly visits. When Kelly excitedly told her that Francis Dunnery had been there to see her, Justine assumed Kelly was hallucinating from her meds. Justine only knew Francis from a concert at a large venue where the members of Hootie and the Blow Fish decided to show up and do the set with him. Francis was larger than life to Justine and he was about to become even bigger. She choked up when she learned that Francis had indeed given his limited time to our family’s precious baby.

In the thirteen years that I have known Francis, he has always shown me generosity, unfettered optimism and the most outrageous sense of humor imaginable. But the love he displayed for Kelly and the shear selflessness of his visits was beyond the obligations of a friend.

Kelly passed away in March of 2007 and Barry Dunnery a short time after her. My absolute fondness for Francis has been there for as long as I have known him, but my affection grew stronger as he helped ease the pain of my struggle while enduring his own. I hope, had geography permitted, that I would have shown the same kindness towards Barry. God only knows.

The other day when telling this story to a friend he said “Wow, Francis Dunnery is Amazing.” Indeed he is.

Francis, I will make that announcement for you at any given opportunity . You are indeed the Amazing Francis Dunnery.

Eric