Maybe B.J. Thomas? do the lyrics : I remember when my father died, my mother god rest her soul, when the only man she had ever...sound familiar? I just asked same song question 4 minutes ago!
The Guess Who. Song is called 'Laughing". It's available on their greatest hits album in almost any Used Record store. Or, it may be the early BeeGees?
A song from the 70's by a male performer. Sample of lyrics, "I remember when my father died, my mother god rest her soul..." It might be by B.J. Thomas?