November 18, 2008
I got my edition of Berklee Today in the mail last week and was stunned to see 
the news about Dave. I met him at Berklee in my freshman year. He lived across 
the hall from me. Even though he was only in my life as a friend for a very 
short time he remained a vivid memory to me to this day. He had a passion for 
music that was truly inspiring. He was also a great person. I remember I got in 
a bit of financial trouble and he didn't hesitate to help me out. I couldn't 
sleep until I knew that I payed him back. Needless to say I was shocked and 
saddened by this news. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

~ Doug, New Jersey


September 13, 2008
Dave, I remember calling you when I told my friend Declan you could play the 
solo in Peace Frog. I called you up and asked you if you could do it? You said 
I'll call you back in 10 minutes and you did. You played it like Krieger did on 
the vinyl to a "T" I was amazed. I also remember having you come over and 
asking me how to show you the fingering for Joplin's Maple Leaf, you begged me 
to teach you the fingering but you seemed to know it well enough on your own. I 
also remember seeing Airplane with you and Kyle at the theater in Avon when 
they had theaters. I know you would have remembered the exact details, 
showtime, maybe attendance of the show, but all I remember was seeing you 
laugh, as I looked at you and you saw tears fall down my eyes too. Well tears 
still fall down my eyes when I think of you but none will be of laughter 
anymore . I also remember when i brought my friend Heather to Mass to see you 
and your band. You gave your bed to her and took your roommates bed as a 
gentlemen would. We went to see you play although you apologized to us that you 
could not be a good host because you were busy with stuff. I won't forget the 
winters of jumping off your back deck into the snow or the street hockey with 
the Edgars. I won't forget you giving Tippy bubble gum and watching her chomp 
endlessly thinking it would stop. You knew how to have fun, laugh, and enjoy 
life. I wish you were still here to enjoy it more. You were an enigma that had 
a vacuum of friend's love chasing your beauty. May you be in a happier place 
for now. We'll all see you soon if Einstein's is right. Rest your kindness and 
wisdom Dave. Sleep softly

~ ken Accardi, portland oregon


September 13, 2008
I was just listening to Stevie Ray Vaughn and I was remembering going to see 
him in concert with Dave at the Agora ballroom in West Hartford CT. I decided 
to look up the exact date of that show which I found out was October 7, 1984. I 
then realized that I had only known Dave for a few weeks on that day and yet it 
felt like I had grown up with him. Being inspired by this memory, I decided to 
put Dave's name into google and I found this. I am stunned and saddened by this 
news.

I have so many great memories with him. Most of them revolve around music. I 
had moved to Simsbury CT from Long Island NY in 1984 and was 15. He noticed my 
ARMS concert shirt (a show that Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton played 
the year before) and struck up a conversation with me. I'm pretty sure the 
words "Led Zeppelin" were exchanged within the first sentence. I told him I had 
just started playing drums. He told me he played guitar. We started playing 
together and for me it was totally magical. He was a year older than me and was 
completely above me in terms of musicanship. I went from the 
outsider-new-kid-in-town to playing with the best guitar player in the area in 
a week after moving to Simsbury. We used to play "Dazed and Confused" by Led 
Zeppelin in which in he did the bow section and all the lengthy solos. He was 
16 at the time. Amazing. Looking back, he was clearly a huge influence on me 
playing and continuing to play for years. I remember talking to him some years 
later and I asked him what he was listening to and he said "Hendrix and Miles, 
that's it". Totally Dave.

Dave was absolutely one of the best guitiar players I have ever seen or played 
with. He also had one of the quickest, shapest wits I have ever had the 
pleasure to know. A tremendous sense of humor and a very generous individual.

My condolences to the Cawthon Family. He will be missed in person but not in 
spirit.

~ Jason Brubaker, Great Neck, New York


August 18, 2008
Dave was my guitar teacher for just under a year, and every lesson he would 
arrive 15 minutes late. This was one thing that truly made Dave who he was. 
Dave taught me to not only play guitar but to love playing as well. He would 
come to my house with seemingly no lesson plan, and we would just jam together 
until he would notice the time and stop abruptly, which was always something 
that made me laugh. One time Dave came over limping and I asked him what had 
happend. He told me that him and his friends were running through the woods at 
night(never a good idea by the way) and he saw a raccoon, which scared him 
causing him to fall and sprain his ankle. That was the funniest thing I have 
ever heard.

Dave, mondays at 7:30 will never be the same. R.I.P

~ Dylan Grossman, Newton, Massachusetts


August 18, 2008
I just returned from a trip and found out about Dave's death last night. I can 
hardly begin to tell you how saddened I was. Dave was a very special guy, an 
inspiration for our two sons who learned guitar from him, and just a great 
presence and support for all the artistic endeavors of our family.
I have so often told the story of the new, quiet guitar teacher who asked our 
10 year old what he liked to listen to, on the first day of his lessons. 
"Hendrix" was the answer. "Ok" said Dave, let's start with Purple Haze."
"I believe it a Jewish saying that "No man is truly dead as long as he is 
remembered." Dave will live with us for the rest of our lives in that quiet, 
understated, encouraging, outrageously musical and creative way that was so 
uniquely his.

~ Brian O'Donovan, Newton, Massachusetts


August 17, 2008
Dear Cawthon family, I am so sorry for the loss of Dave. He was by far and away 
the best teacher i have ever had. The skills he had taught me will last a 
lifetime and his approach to teaching was incredible. After lessons we would 
sometimes just jam for another half hour. I have never met a more positive 
person either. When ever i made up a song he was the first person i would want 
to show and he would listen and we could just play along to them. Afterwards he 
would deem them "great". He taught me much about guitar but also was a great 
friend. We would frequently watch some of the red sox game or play a hockey 
video game after a lesson was over. Dave was a special person to both myself 
and my family. He will forever be in our prayers.

Thanks Dave for everything.

~ Mark Deehan, Newton


August 14, 2008
Dear Cawthon Family,

I am sorry for the loss of Dave. He taught me just not how to play guitar but 
hot to love playing guitar. He was not only a guitar teacher he was a friend.

~ Josh Horenstein, Newton, Massachusetts


August 12, 2008
My deepest condolences to the entire Cawthon family.

Dave was a most special and extraordinary human being. I have always held every 
moment I spent with him as a band member and a friend in a special place in my 
heart, and now will cherish those moments even more. His musicianship and 
intellect were far superior to anyone I have known and have always held a great 
respect for his ambition, his talents as a musician, and his understanding of 
the human spirit. He will be missed, but his spirit will live on in his music 
and in all of us who were lucky enough to have been a part of his life.

~ Laura Ziemba, Plattsburgh, New York


August 07, 2008
Dear Cawthon Family,
We were so saddened and at a loss when we heard the news of Dave's passing. His 
sweet and patient nature while teaching my son the guitar was an endearing 
trait that made him unique and special. His love for music and teaching was 
evident from the start. Our hearts and thoughts go out to you at this very 
difficult time.

~ Stephanie, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts


August 06, 2008
Dear Cawthon Family,

I was so saddened to hear of Dave's passing away. Please know that he was 
well-loved and appreciated here in Newton Ma. He introduced my son, Andrew, to 
guitar, and patiently taught him and encouraged him for four years. He is very 
missed. My thoughts and prayers are wtih you.

Susan Erickson Phillips

~ Susan Erickson, Newton, Massachusetts


August 01, 2008 
Dear Bob, Carol, Karen, Zachary, and all of the other people who meant so much 
to Dave,
i wish you all the best in this time of coping with such an immense heartache 
as this - what an incredible loss... Dave and i went to college together, fell 
in love, traveled around this country for a few years and shared our many 
passions, for love, music, food, friends, adventures, incredible moments, great 
books, great minds... so many memories and stories... he was my first 
serious-living-with-someone-sharing-a-life together kind of relationship... 
what an impact he had on my entire being! it truly is all too much to even 
begin to find the right words here to express the depth and meaning to my life 
and personal evolution the many experiences we shared in the time we were 
together have given me. i know that at so many levels that the time in my life 
with Dave on the road gave me a wealth of experiences, memories and influences 
that are such a huge part of who i am today - it was truly life changing... In 
moments he was larger than life to me and, i think, to others who knew him. i 
remember on our many journeys traveling to see friends and relatives, sharing 
pieces of the journey with friends along the way - his friends were so precious 
to him; i especially recall the times we had with Gary, Joe, Kyle, Tim, Kelly, 
and more... i haven't ever and won't ever forget Dave. He was, quite simply, 
unforgettable. I spoke with him about 5 years ago on the phone and was glad to 
try and put the sad parts of our past away and just talk to him again... and so 
glad to hear he was teaching, because Dave was one of the most talented natural 
musicians i will ever meet - he was thrilled to hear that my own son, now 14, 
is a guitarist and that he loves playing Hendrix... When i last talked to him, 
he was listening a lot to the blues and living a quiet life, teaching, which he 
seemed to enjoy, and still sounded like Dave to me. i know he struggled in 
moments, even back when we were together, and i always wished him peace; i 
truly hope he has finally found it now and hope that all of you who are hurting 
will find yours as well. I will choose to remember Dave as a passionate, 
charismatic, witty, frequently brilliant, immensely talented and very intense 
person who felt things deeply, and I will never hear Sweet Melissa without 
crying... peace and blessings to you all and to Dave.

~ diane fast, kenmore, Washington


July 31, 2008
My deepest warmth goes out to all of Dave's family and friends. He was a 
wonderful teacher who brought the joy of guitar into my life and left me with 
memories and avenues to music and life that I will hold and share with others. 
His handwritten tab and chords grace notebook pages and the backs of old 
homeworks. I will always remember hours shared with Dave speaking through 
guitars and nodding in appreciatation of a beautiful Robert Johnson lick. May 
his love of music and his patience carry on enternally.

~ Dan Murnane, Nevada City, California


July 30, 2008
Dear Mr. & Mrs Cawthon; Karen & Zachary Gillespie; and family. It is with very 
deep heartfelt sorrow that we offer you our condolences for the passing of 
Dave. He has been a part of our lives for well over 10 years and leaves us with 
an emptiness in our hearts that only he can fill. Dave was our two sons (Brian 
and Mark's) guitar teacher, mentor, friend, and buddy. He was always welcome in 
our home as a teacher and friend. We shared many long talks concerning music, 
being self-employed (I am too), and social situations. He will be sorely 
missed. His love for music, guitar playing and jamming taught my sons a genuine 
love and passion for the guitar that will be carried on for the rest of their 
lives. Dave's talent, patience, flexibility with scheduling, and charisma were 
unique and we never hesitated to recommend him as a teacher to everyone we 
knew. His willingness to freely praise his students made them always want to 
better themselves and pursue a higher level of competence. He was truly the 
BEST!!! We will miss his warm smile and gentle, loving presence in our home. 
Dave will always be fondly remembered and kept in our prayers. Sincerely , 
Elaine & Michael Deehan

~ Elaine Deehan, Newton, Massachusetts


July 29, 2008
Dave, you are my friend forever. You are a giant chunk of me. Thanks. You're 
loved and terribly missed. Know this.

Fishing will be different. I'll never again hear you say "Hendrix!" (always 
with a bang).

It's all about the music.

The rest is silence.
__

~ Kyle Accardi, Portland, Oregon


July 28, 2008
Bob, Carol and family,

We were so saddened to learn of your loss. No words can ever express the loss 
of a son. You and David in our prayers.

Sandy and Don Sotherland

~ Sandy Sotherland, South Windsor, Connecticut


July 27, 2008
Dave was a very special person to come into my life. He gave me my first 
recording experience at "the space", he taught me how to play things that I 
would have never dreamed of, and after all the lessons we managed to stay in 
touch and hang out on a personal level from time to time. He is sorely missed. 
My sincerest condolences go out to his family & friends and I hope we all can 
take comfort in the fact that he's touched so many people's lives in such a 
positive way. Dave has truly left the world a better place than he found it

~ Brian Deehan, Los Angeles, California


July 24, 2008
The thought of not having Dave around anymore fills me with so much sadness. He 
was such a gifted musician and one of my best friends. He would always come 
over at 6:00 on mondays (although most of the time he was fashionable late). 
Always with a smile on his face he would offer me a stick of gum at the door 
and we would go upstairs and play. He taught me so much about the guitar and he 
was always late to his next lesson because we played for so long. Im glad he 
stayed for dinner the monday night before and we had a great time celebrating 
my younger brothers birthday.
Dave was a great man and an even greater friend and I'm so happy I got know and 
be friends with him, may he rest in peace.

~ Dean Carney, Newton, Massachusetts


July 24, 2008
Dave came to our home every Sunday around 5 for my son Dylan’s guitar lesson. 
I usually hung out in the vicinity because I loved listening to their 
collaborating in choosing, playing, and responding to music. He was the most 
democratic teacher I have ever known; I learned a lot about teaching from him. 
We are holding onto our memories of his smile and gentle manner; we feel so sad 
and miss him deeply. Our hearts go out to his family.

~ Rachel Hayashi, Newton, Massachusetts


July 24, 2008
Patience is the one word that comes to mind when thinking of Dave. I was never 
the most talented of his students but he showed me the utmost respect and 
offered me all the knowledge he could. It's clear in reading all these entries 
he touched many lives, including mine. My deepest condolences to his family and 
friends.

~ Bryan Saldarini, Huntersville, North Carolina


July 24, 2008
Initially, my brother started taking lessons from Dave while I listened in from 
the next room. When the lesson ended, I would rush into the living room and 
have my brother teach me everything he just learned. Dave's teaching talents 
were so strong, that not only was my brother able to give me the same lesson he 
had just finished, but he would do it with the same patience and positive 
feedback that Dave used with him.

It is so rare to find a person with such immense talent and still have such a 
humble sense of self.

You will be missed.

~ Daniel Saldarini, Newton, Massachusetts


July 24, 2008
Dave was a great teacher and friend, and an important part of my childhood. 
There is a core of people I grew up with that all learned guitar and life from 
Dave and we are all still playing music to this day. This would not be without 
his heart, love, and guidence.

He taught me my first song, took me to my first concert, and never ever judged. 
All he cared about was us playing and learning and growing as musicians.

My heart and prayers to his family and friends. He was a true individual and a 
solid part of my childhood and who I am today.

Much love.

~ Josh Weinstein, New York, New York


July 23, 2008
For Dave's Family, I pray for healing and strength during this painful time.

I'll always remember Dave's extraordinary musicianship, his keen literary 
insights, our late night setback games, summers on the road, and his awesome 
sense of humor.

My life is enriched from Dave's friendship. With Dave gone, the world I grew up 
in feels emptier.

May he rest in Peace.

~ Joe Murdzek, East Hartford, Connecticut


July 23, 2008
Dave was more than just a teacher. He was an inspiration and a good-hearted 
friend. He is greatly missed and I owe all my skill to his teaching.

~ Alejandro Arean-Raines, Newton, Massachusetts


July 23, 2008
Dear Dave,

When I first heard you passed away I thought it was just a rumor. Me and my mom 
checked the newspaper everyday. You gave me the most amazing gift anyone could 
ever ask for. And if I ever get any kind of award for music, you'll be the one 
I thank. And all of those days when I would try to stall the lesson with my 
stupid sports. Rest in peace Dave...

~ Max Milliman, Newton, Massachusetts


July 23, 2008
Dave was a mentor and friend to me throughout high school and beyond. He was an 
original soul and I will always remember him. He taught me about music, and he 
taught me about life. I will miss him tremendously.

~ Chris Schreiber, San Francisco, CA


July 23, 2008
Music is a huge part of our lives in my family, and Dave gave us an amazing 
gift in teaching both myself and my brother, Chris, for many years. He was a 
born teacher, which is a rare and beautiful thing. He will be missed. Our 
thoughts go out to his family and friends.

~ Molly Schreiber, Newton, Massachusetts


July 23, 2008
To Dave's family,

My deepest sympathies for your loss. I will always remember Dave as a truly 
unique person, a fiercely independent spirit, and like many others, a gifted 
musician. The gigs we played together stand out in my memories as among my 
favorites. He will be sorely missed and well remembered.

Sincerely,

~ Julianne Homokay, Los Angeles, California


July 23, 2008
Last Sunday, before I heard the sad news of Dave's death, my son - one of 
Dave's many guitar students, although he has not had lessons with Dave for a 
couple of years - jammed with a German-Turkish boy he had just met. The 
wonderful sounds of two guitars, sometimes mingled with drums, tunes from 
Pachelbel to Led Zeppelin came from the room, and I thought of Dave and all he 
had taught Nik to bring him to that level of playing and that ease in jamming 
together. When Dave was Nik's teacher, I would bring Dave a cup of coffee with 
steamed milk - Spanish style - when he arrived and then revel in their playing 
and practicing as I went about what I needed to do. Dave brought music to this 
household as well. He brought joy in playing and performing, in trying 
different styles out, and he was pronounced 'cool' by my son's friends who met 
him, probably because he treated them less as students than as co-musicians and 
helped draw some of their potential out.
His death saddened me and Nik greatly. He will be missed by us and by many.
My heart goes out to you, his family and friends.

~ Lisa Schumann, Newton, Massachusetts


July 22, 2008
Dear Bob and Carol,

Please accept my sympathies and my prayers for your son David. You and Carol 
are in my thoughts.

~ John Swift, Buffalo Grove, Illinois


July 22, 2008
Dear Cawthon family and Dave's friends and students,

My daughters and I will so miss Dave. He was, in person, and is now in memory, 
part of the fabric of our lives. It is clear that he touched so many people's 
lives in the same way - quietly and unassumingly helping his students and their 
families stay whole through music and the gentleness of his presence. He will 
stay with us forever.

~ Claudia Hoover, Newton, Massachusetts


July 21, 2008
Dave-
You touched us all.
You had gift for bringing music to each person in the way that they were able 
to receive it. You were a real, meaningful person and you will be an indelible 
part of our memories.
May you be in peace, Dave.

~ Sarah, Newton, Massachusetts


July 21, 2008
Dave was more than a best friend to me. We spoke for hours every night and we 
had recently been talking about him playing guitar for Elliot. Dave was so 
wonderful with my baby and he was always bringing Elliot little books or 
stuffed animals when we saw each other. He even bought Elliot vegan cupcakes 
for his first birthday.

I want to thank you so much for welcoming me into your lives and Dave's home 
during such a tragic time. Your family is dealing with so much, and yet you 
have also reached out to help me in ways that you may never know. I am grateful 
to each of you for allowing me to experience this with you.

~ Nadia Shahmehri, Wilton, New Hampshire


July 20, 2008
My deepest condolences to the Cawthon family. Dave was truly one of a kind. He 
and I spent many years together as roommates, bandmates, and friends. I have so 
many memories of our time together and will treasure them always. He was the 
best guitarist I've ever played with or heard. He was the smartest, funniest, 
kindest, most intuitive person I've ever known. He left a deep impression with 
everyone who ever knew him, and was like a brother to me. I doubt a day will go 
by when I don't think of him.

~ Jef Charland, Brookline, Massachusetts


July 20, 2008
To Dave's family, friends, and all the kids and families who loved him,

I last saw Dave on July 3. He stopped by my house to pick up his hat he had 
left after dinner with my family celebrating my son's birthday three days 
before. Most Monday nights Dave would have dinner with us after teaching two of 
my four children, always with infinite patience and declaring the meal "great 
food" .Dave was part of the fabric of my family for 8 years, a best friend to 
my son who was stuggling. Even my crazy dog loved him. He always told me that 
my son was a great kid and I shouldn't worry at all. He left me a voice mail 
two weeks ago encouraging me to keep Dean playing guitar. My eight year old 
daughter walked him to his car every Monday night with his guitar slung over 
her shoulder. We have all cried in the deepest of grief and share yours. All of 
us would like to do something to celebrate Dave. We are thinking of bringing 
together the people he taught to play together in his honor. I hope your family 
and any of his friends would like to be part of that. Dave has created a legacy 
in his teaching that will never be forgotten. Peace Dave, Andy

~ andrea coville, waban, Massachusetts


July 19, 2008
Dear Cawthon Family,

My deepest sympathy for the loss of David. I will always remember him as a good 
friend through our years together at SHS. From being in Boy Scouts together to 
having the chance to play in a band with him and enjoy his amazing guitar 
playing. I will always remember how he made me laugh with his wry sense of 
humor. I am deeply saddened that we lost touch over the years and I will miss 
him. The world has lost a gifted and talented person with a gentle soul.
Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

~ Charles Umpleby, Bridgewater, Vermont


July 18, 2008
Dear Cawthon family,

I am really sorry for your loss dave was one of my best friends, and tought me 
the way of music and what it was about, I hope dave is rocking on where every 
he is and he will always be in my heart

~ Ryan moray, newton, Massachusetts


July 18, 2008
My condolences to Dave's friends and family. You'll be in my thoughts and 
prayers. Dave was the best musician I ever knew...a genius...and a patient 
teacher. I could never be where I am today without Dave's friendship or our 
music and I'm grateful for the time I had with him.

~ Bobbi Caissie, Casa Grande, Arizona


July 18, 2008
Dear Carolyn and Bob ~ We were deeply saddened to hear of David's passing. May 
you find peace and joy in the many beautiful memories you hold. You remain in 
our thoughts and prayers.

~ Jim and Joyce Morgan, Cambridge, Massachusetts


July 18, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories 
bring you comfort.

~ Rita & Joe Vieira, Newington, Connecticut


July 18, 2008
Dear Cawthon family,

I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I knew Dave in high school--he was a 
couple years behind me, but always years ahead of me with his music. He played 
with my band in a concert in Schultz Park in Simsbury in 1985, of which I still 
have an audio recording and some photographs. Even as a high school junior, his 
guitar playing was amazing and inspiring--and just so far ahead of anyone 
else's in our area at that time. He really was an incredible musician.

My deepest sympathies go out to your family.

~ Eric Rusack, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania


July 18, 2008
I grew up with David, and remember him fondly. He and some other friends helped 
me through a particularly difficult time in junior high. The band room was our 
haven; he was very kind. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing.

~ Heather Bobinski (Harrison), Simsbury, Connecticut


July 18, 2008
To the Cawthon Family,

My deepest sympathy on David's passing. I was definitely among the many touched 
by David's love of music and his exceptional talent. In our senior year of high 
school, Dave helped me to take a passing interest in the guitar to the next 
level with his patience and teaching. He helped me to develop talents that I 
would never have explored on my own. I continue to play guitar today and I will 
always be thankful to Dave for the gift he gave to me. Although we lost touch 
after high school, I had always hoped to one day play with him again and 
express my sincere appreciation.

Dave, rest easy...You made a difference and you will never be forgotten.

~ Paul Edgar, West Hartford, Connecticut


July 18, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this 
time of sorrow.

~ Brenda Cunningham (HIG), West Hartford


July 18, 2008
I feel very fortunate to have played guitar, hockey and baseball with Dave 
while growing up in Simsbury. Dave was an extremely talented guitarist with a 
great sense of humor, and I feel very fortunate to have shared a stage with him 
during my high school years. His talent was endless. My condolences to the 
Cawthon family and to the friends and students he made over his lifetime.

~ Tim Porterfield, Marietta, Georgia


July 18, 2008
I will always remember the great times in Simsbury with Dave playing hockey and 
baseball, going to Whaler games, sleep overs and getting into small amounts of 
trouble along the way. My thoughts and prayers are with the Cawthon family at 
this time, you are great people and a great family and I'm glad I know you.

~ Joe LaRocque, Severna Park, Maryland


Bob and Carolyn - our deepest sympathy for the loss of your son. We know how 
much this must hurt, and our prayers go out to both of you.

~ Lou and Karen Scotti, Columbia