JOHN A. TAYLOR

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JOHN A. TAYLOR Jack died peacefully at the Grace Hospital on August 22, 2014. He was born April 23, 1925 to Timothy and Amelia Taylor and grew up on Collegiate Street. He remained in St. James all his life except while in the navy. Dad joined the RCNVR as soon as he was 18 and served as a sailor on the Triangle Run, guarding North Atlantic convoys. He served on HMCS Burlington and HMCS Trail, a minesweeper and corvette. After the war he began an apprenticeship and qualified as a journeyman sheet metal worker. He started working for Bill Wolfe, for whom he had great respect, and eventually was employed by Quest Metal Products for 20 years. He was very good at geometry so enjoyed the challenge of creating custom 3D industrial kitchen equipment from flat sheets of metal. He retired in 1990 after finishing his career supervising the refitting of Winnipeg Transit buses. For relaxation Dad loved to golf and curl and did so as long as he could. His golf scores attested to his inherent honesty! He had a large group of friends from Rutland Street and the St. James Legion who joined him in these activities. Dad was a Blue Bomber fan all his life. Country music was his favourite, especially Patsy Cline and Hank Snow. Dad was a straightforward, friendly and easygoing man with a wonderful sense of humour. He lived life simply and without complaint. He did not fear death and died the way we all want to: content with his life. We were blessed to have him in ours. Simone Laramee, with whom he raised six children, predeceased him, as did his second wife Isabella Cruickshank. His granddaughter Caroline Taylor, great-granddaughter Tabitha Brown, sister Mae, her husband Jack Millar, and brother-in-law Ken Sinclair also predeceased him. His sister Betty Sinclair and brother Rob (Peggy) survive him. His six children also survive him: Nancy (George Hamilton), Kathy Taylor, Vic (Debby), Amy (Harvey Zacharias), Faye (Gary Thompson) and Celeste Taylor. His grandchildren are Trista (Steve Brown), Cal Hamilton, Susie Taylor, Ian Taylor, Matthew Zacharias (Laura), Daniel Zacharias (Marianna), Sam Thompson (Hilori), Ava Thompson (Liam), and Christine Taylor for whom he was a loving substitute father figure. His only great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Olivia Thompson delighted him. Many people made it possible for Dad to remain in his apartment until his last day. The family thanks Catherine Cameron, Pat Anderson and the many home care workers they organized to help Dad; Dr. W. Groebler; Laurel Rose, geriatric Clinician at Deer Lodge Centre; and his many friendly and helpful neighbours, especially Jan and Betty, and Sharon and Greg. Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Alzheimer Manitoba, 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, R3C 4G2, or to a charity of your choice. www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 30, 2014