Canandaigua man changes his name to Darth Vader

For most of his 43 years, he was known as Eric Welch.

But last year, this Star Wars fan legally changed his name to match the Sith Lord and became Darth Vader.

You may have seen him at area events, dressed in the iconic costume. Perhaps you passed by him at the Pittsford Wegmans or a local coffee shop. Maybe you saw him exercise at his Canandaigua gym.

Most likely, you've run alongside him at a local road race. He's hard to miss. Vader typically wears a gas mask and carries an American flag. Often he also hauls 60 to 90 pounds of chains.

Yes, this Canandaigua man's name really is Vader. Some wiseguys call him Lord Vader, but most people simply call him Eric.

"I wanted to do something of my own," he said. "I had no strong family ties to my name. I wanted a separation from my self and my past."

A 1991 Penfield High School graduate and former Marine, Vader grew up in foster care, living in eight foster homes and attending 15 different schools. He spent years working as a handyman and in security.

Vader has also battled leukemia and a serious bone marrow disorder for 13 years. His chronic condition is manageable, he said, but will eventually require a bone marrow transplant. He's currently an outpatient at UR Medicine's Wilmot Cancer Institute. Since 2002, he completed 15 sessions of chemotherapy, most recently in 2008.

He's stable for now. He is currently on the Bone Marrow Transplant list at Seattle's VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Washington state A gofundme online fundraiser has collected nearly $15,000 to help with medical expenses not covered by insurance.

Vader, owner of Allegiant Fitness, a small basement gym on Mill Street in Canandaigua, this year completed 13 half-marathons and 18 Tough Mudder races around the country.

"I'm not a runner," he said. "I'm built like a football player. But I needed something to challenge myself."

Training for and completing each race "gives me something to look forward to," he said. "It keeps my mind off doctor's appointments, of all that I've gone through, am going through and will continue to go through."

To date, he has completed 45 Tough Mudder obstacle courses, including several with his daughter Alexis Welch, 20. He's aiming to surpass 50 and expects to hit that milestone next summer, his fifth year completing the Tough Mudder races.

"It gives me drive, a reason to never give up and never let leukemia define who I am," he said.

A longtime Star Wars fan, Vader said he was drawn to the Dark Side and identified with the series' villains.

"They had better weapons, better vehicles," Vader said. "I just gravitated toward Darth Vader, he was the man. He carried an aura of leadership, toughness and didn't say much to get his point across."

When out in costume, Vader isn't paid or part of the 501st Legion, a worldwide group of fans who dress in Star Wars costumes.

It wasn't particularly hard to change his name to that of a movie character. But Vader was also required to sign numerous documents confirming he would not use the character's likeness for his own profit. Sorry guys, Vader's Gym just isn't happening.

Vader watched Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens Thursday night at Cinemark Tinseltown in Gates and plans to attend a premiere in Toronto on Saturday night. No spoilers here, but he liked the movie.

For now, he said, he loves randomly walking into rooms, surprising everyone as he's dressed as the Sith Lord. He also repeatedly confirms his identity as the Darth Vader. He flashes ID constantly.

"It doesn't end," he said. "I don't mind, but ask me in a few years. I'm sure it'll get old."

VFREILE@Gannett.com