AT age 91, David Wilson of Jamaica, Long Island, New York has had a hectic round of activities during the past fortnight reconnecting with his Bermudian roots.

It was his first visit in more than 50 years, and he couldn't help exclaiming how marvellous he found the changes from the old picture he had in mind of the island.

He is a high society solo pianist, who sings in many different languages, including Italian, Spanish, French, Jewish, Portuguese, Greek and, of course, English. At his ripe old age he continues to be featured at La-Tavenette, an Italian restaurant on Broadway where he has played for the past 28 years. He plays there every Friday.

David's father Frederick Wilson migrated to New York during the early 1900s. There he spent the rest of his life, marrying a Native American of the Shinecock tribe. He is the second of the five boys and three girls the couple raised.

Frederick became an ordained minister in the AME Church, and was for many years assistant pastor of the famous Allen AME Church in Jamaica, Long Island. Frederick, incidentally, was one of the Wilson brothers who helped build St. Monica's Mission Church, North Shore, Pembroke.

Frederick's family life and that of his eight children revolved around the AME Church. David, for instance, is the accompanist for his church choir. He is a life-long bachelor who does not pretend to have been an angel.

David credits Mrs. Elizabeth (Betty) Gomes of Boaz Island, Sandys with rekindling his interest in Bermuda. With all the platonic devilry he could muster, he confessed that meeting her a few years ago, one look into her eyes, and her sense of humour did the trick and convinced him he had to reconnect.

"I just couldn't wait to get back to see her. I came mostly to see Betty," he said wittingly.

Seriously, Betty's son Dennis Burrows is married to David's beloved niece, the former Donna Laws. She is an American who got excited about Bermuda through a Cup Match visit many years ago. They live on Roosevelt Island, New York.

The couple have accompanied David on this trip. David's early visits to Bermuda were as a young man, to see his father's sisters, the late Blanche and Florence Tucker. Their home was on the corner of Serpentine and the now Pa-la-ville Road where the HWP Marine Centre is situated.

Picture:David Wilson, 91, couldn't resist the temptation to charm his niece Donna Laws Burrows who, along with her husband Dennis Burrows, accompanied him to Bermuda. On the left is Donna's mother-in-law, Mrs. Betty Gomes of Boaz Island.