ALFRED ‘ROY’ TAYLOR

Alfred “Roy” Taylor, of London, Ont., passed away Thursday, April 22, 2004 at home in his 80th year.
A devoted husband, wonderful father, and loving granddad, Roy will be sadly missed by his wife and soulmate of 58 years, Kathleen; son, David and wife, Karen (Colin, Brian, Dylan, and Reilly) of Ilderton; daughters, Gwenda and husband, Peter Chalk (Andrew, Bryan, and Nicholas) of Newmarket, Ont., and Barbara and husband, Wayne Newton (Adam and Ian) of London, Ont.; son, Jonathan and wife, Janet (Evan, Eric, and Caitlin) of Saskatoon, Sask.; and daughters, Angela and husband, Mark Bennett, of Keswick, Ont., and Teresa and husband, Neil Beaton (Madeline) of Dorval, Que.
Roy was born in Manchester, England to the late Jane (Hume) and Henry Taylor, and was predeceased by his 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) emigrated to Canada. Roy was hired as a chief ranger’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 Queen’s Park in Toronto.
While a proud provincial civil servant, he taught dozens of courses and received numerous commendations. An accomplished public speaker, he also is 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 Nautilus 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 received at John T. Donohue Funeral Home (362 Waterloo St. at King St.) on Friday, April 23, 2004 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., with a prayer service at 8 p.m.
Funeral mass will be held at St. George Catholic Church (1164 Commissioners Rd. W.) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 at 10:30 a.m.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.