John Stockfish, bass player on Gordon Lightfoot hits such as Sundown, Black Day in July and Song for a Winter’s Night, has died at the age of 69.

Stockfish died Aug. 20 of natural causes at his home in Windsor, Ont., his daughter, Jennifer Stockfish, said Wednesday.

A private family funeral will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Erindale Anglican Church in Mississauga.

Stockfish, a native of Windsor, was Lightfoot’s original bassist, performing and recording with the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter from 1965 to 1969. He also played bass on the recording of one of Lightfoot’s most popular songs, Sundown, which topped the U.S. charts in 1974.

In 1969, Stockfish moved to New York where he recorded and performed with the late Jim Croce. Returning to Toronto in the early ’70s, Stockfish worked with Dan Hill and Tommy Hunter.
Over the years, Stockfish also performed with artists such as Ron Nigrini, Cab Calloway, Gene MacLellan and Mel Tormé.

Stockfish is survived by his four children, Sheri, John, Jennifer and Will, and grandchildren Marlee, Travis, Nathan and Mia, as well as surviving siblings George, Billy, Gordie and Darlene.

From - Hamilton Spectator