New York man joins the Dark Side, changes his name to Darth Vader

If you live in Western New York, there’s a chance that you might have met Darth Vader. No, James Earl Jones and David Prowse do not live there, but a man named Darth Vader does.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports that Eric Welch, 43, legally changed his name to Darth Vader last year. The former Marine owns a gym in Canandaigua, New York and often wears a gas mask while carrying an American flag.

His driver’s license actually reads “Darth Vader,” but people who know him still call him Eric. The Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed to The Associated Press that Welch really did change his name.

“I wanted to do something of my own,” Vader told the Democrat and Chronicle. “I had no strong family ties to my name. I wanted a separation from my self and my past.”

He continued, “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.”

Vader was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002 and tries to live up to the toughness associated with his chosen name by running in half-marathons and competing in endurance events.

Just in case you were wondering, he did like The Force Awakens.

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