Obituary of Alfred Roy Taylor

Taylor Alfred "Roy" Taylor of London on April 22, 2004 at home in his 80th year. A devoted husband, wonderful father and loving grandad, Roy is sadly missed by his wife and soul mate of 58 years, Kathleen, son, David and wife, Karen (Colin, Brian, Dylan, Reilly) of Ilderton, daughters, Gwenda and husband, Peter Chalk (Andrew, Bryan, Nicholas) of Newmarket, Barbara and husband, Wayne Newton (Adam, Ian) of London, son, Jonathan and wife, Janet (Evan, Eric, Caitlin) of Saskatoon, daughters Angela and husband, Mark Bennett of Keswick, and Teresa and husband, Neil Beaton (Madeline) of Dorval, Que. Roy was born in Manchester, England, to the late Jane (Hulme) and Henry Taylor and is predeceased by siblings, George and Harry Taylor, and Isobel Gosling. He served in the Second World War in H. M. Royal Navy 1942-46, participating in D-Day, one day before his 20th birthday. In 1957 Roy and Kathleen (with David and Gwenda) immigrated to Canada. Roy was hired as a chief rangers's clerk with the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests in Cochrane two days later. He retired in 1983 from the Ministry of Natural Resources as the ministry's chief accountant, located at Toronto's Queen Park. While a proud provincial servant he taught dozens of courses and received numerous commendations. An accomplished public speaker, he is also fondly remembered for his theatrical send offs of retiring employees. When he lived in Fort Frances, Kemptville, and Markham he volunteered on numerous community and church committees including six years as a leader for the Boy Scouts of Canada. Since 1968, Roy has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus. His last post was Co-Commander of the Honour Guard and Faithful Comptroller of the 4th Degree of the Honourable Henry Dormer Assembly in London. He had been a reader at St. Peter's Cathedral Church in London and was a member of St. George Catholic Church in Byron. While "retired" in London, Roy worked as an administrative consultant for #1 Nautilaus Fitness. He enjoyed life with Kathleen, travelling and visiting with family and their pets. He was foremost a family man who embraced life with a sunny disposition. He cheered for Manchester United football team, and any pursuit of his children or grandchildren. He maintained an active healthy lifestyle until assaulted by cancer last fall. Visitors will be recieved at John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 o'clock with a prayer service at 8 o'clock. Funeral Mass at St. George's Church, 1164 Commissioners Road W., on Saturday morning at 10:30 o'clock. Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.