It is with great sadness that the family of Gordon Taylor announce his passing on August 1 2023 at Leacock Care Centre in Orillia, Ontario surrounded by his family. He was 100.
Gordon Franklin Taylor was born the 17th of May, 1923 in Toronto, Ontario to Wiflred and Grace (Bastine) Taylor. He was the middle child, which may explain his mischievous streak and was born between his sisters Evelyn and Ruth. At just 14 Gord’s father was killed in a tragic accident and so began a life of work and entrepreneurship. Gord enlisted in the cadets at 15 and joined the army as soon as his country called for his service during World War II. In 1940 Gord joined the fight overseas and met Alma, a British Army member.
They married in London, England on November 15, 1945 and moved to Richmond Hill, Ontario after the war.. Gord and Alma were married for 50 years before her passing in 1995. They settled in Orillia in 1952 where Gord and Alma raised their five children - Anne, Susan, Janice, Lynn and Barry and embarked on a life of entrepreneurship. They owned general stores for a number of years before selling the business and moving on to buying and selling trailers, houses, and other gems Gord found in his hours scouring auctions and estate sales.
Gord was an enthusiastic dancer and spent many hours at the Army and Navy Club and the local Legion where he became a member in 1961. It was at the Legion that Gord met Rita Bailey (Clarke) who he married in 1996. While Rita passed in 2001, her children Tom and Jackie remain family friends.
It is a surprise to no one that Gord lived to be 100 years old. He was made of grit and his sense of humour kept him laughing until his last days. He will be missed and remembered by his children, the late Anne (2014), Susan, Janice (Rodney), Lynn (Bob), and Barry (Debbie), his grand-children Marcus (Olga), Jennifer (Marty), Katelyn (Brandon), Nicole (Scott), Morgan (David), Christina, Lisa (Bryant), Shannon (Joey), Ashley (Ben) and Brett (Ashley). Gord also had the pleasure of knowing his great-grandchildren, Dylan, Brennan, Ryan (Bianca), Cameron, Jackson, Carter, Chase, Jaxson, Emma, Gabriella, Sam, Winston, Marshall, Parker, Tessa, Easton, and Toby.
A special thanks to the caregivers at Leacock Care Centre - the nurses and PSW staff who treated him and his family with respect and tenderness.
As his beloved son Barry would say.. What do now Dad?
A celebration of life will be held at the Orillia Royal Canadian Legion, Sunday August 20th 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Arrangements entrusted to the Doolittle Chapel of Carson Funeral Home 54 Coldwater Street E., Orillia, Ontario 705-326-3595
Online Messages of Condolence are welcome at www.CarsonFuneralHomes.com