If Music Be the Food of Love, Play On: David's Story

Here is a story about a social network that embraced belonging and members whom relished their relationships to one another:

If Music Be the Food of Love, Play On: David's Story
by Sandra Shields

Garland Cohen was in her eighties when she and her son David joined PLAN. She had been pushing the future to the back of her mind for a long time, hoping for a miracle. Garland wasn't afraid of dying; she was afraid of leaving David alone.

David had an apartment in the basement of the house where he and his mother lived for 20 years. While he knew many people in the community, none of them knew one another. Garland's health was failing and she feared that David was growing increasingly isolated and might slip through the cracks.

With the help of PLAN, Garland set up a trust and started a network for David. Soon after, she was diagnosed with cancer. David's network provided the support she needed to die at home. After she passed away, the network helped David move into an apartment of his own.

In the years since Garland's death, David has said that the network gave him a sense of security about living in the community, and that he didn't feel alone. Over time, the network helped him tackle issues like employment, using computers, and going back to school. "They're very wonderful people," he said of his friends, and they said the same about him. John Meyer, an early network member and advisor to Garland in setting up a trust for David more than 12 years ago, observed that if Garland could see how David has thrived, "she'd be tickled pink."

It was on October 30th 2005, at the age of 61, that David was diagnosed with brain cancer and his friends rallied round. Weeks later, on a December evening, he and more than 75 others gathered in a room filled with Christmas cheer to celebrate his extraordinary life. David's dedicated patronage of the musical arts was evident among the guests. Canada's first lady of opera, Judith Forst, related how, for decades, David had been coming back stage after every performance to compliment her. "When David loves something," she said, "it isn't 50 percent, it's 100 percent." Linda Lee Thomas, lead pianist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, said, "A concert of the VSO is not complete without David Cohen. He comes back stage and always has that wonderful hand extended and shares his generous thanks."

David is also well known in political circles. He inherited his mother's passion for peace and social justice, and his letter writing for Amnesty International is legendary. During civic elections, David volunteered for COPE and later Vision Vancouver, and he rarely missed a local political meeting. At the party for David, Vancouver mayoral candidate Jim Green-out of the country at the time-sent a letter recalling how David's presentation on a panel about the opera, Of Mice and Men, moved a tenor in attendance to tears.

Others spoke of David's kindness, the thoughtful way he thanks people, and his generous spirit. Lyle Lexier, a member of David's network, said, "David Cohen has been my friend for 15 years. We talk about opera and human rights and the release of political prisoners and how to end capital punishment." Longtime friend Owen Underhill disclosed, "I don't think I've ever felt so affirmed in my life as when David left me a message about my work as a composer, a conductor, a father, and a friend."

Network member Barrie Vickers spoke for everyone in the room when he addressed the guest of honour, "It is a wonderful gift you have given us David, and we'll live out the joy that you've given to us."

When David took the microphone, he said, "Thank you for your beautiful words." Then the whole room joined in a rousing verse of Hark the Herald Angels Sing. A long line formed at David's side, and for the next hour he graciously greeted friend after friend.

David has been receiving excellent care and support at May's Place, a Vancouver hospice.

Update posted: January 31, 2006

Update posted: October 31st, 2006

David's Story - a CBC Television documentary by Duncan McCue and James Roberts, about the late David Cohen, a PLAN Lifetime member and dear friend has been nominated for two prestigious awards.

This feature story was nominated for a Gemini Award in the category of Best News Magazine Segment. David’s Story has also been nominated for a Jack Webster Award in the category of Best Feature Story – Television.

Renowned conductor Bramwell Tobey speaks about David Cohen in a clip from the feature magazine segment David's Story that aired on CBC in March.