Albert J. Taylor

My sister, Leslie Burke, and I unfortunately have to announce the passing of our father Albert J. Taylor this past Friday evening at his home in Westerleigh, Staten Island. Leslie was tenderly by his side through his final moments.

He was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather who gave freely of himself to the West Shore Little League as a coach, umpire, Board of Directors member, and all-around mentor to anyone who sought his counsel.

Later, he was a respected men’s softball umpire across Staten Island, a proud member of the Staten Island Society of Model Railroaders for 20 years, and an admired 10 year member of The Igglemeisters, which is a close group of dedicated Model Railroaders who travel “Round Robin” style to each other’s layouts on a weekly basis to support and help improve each one.

Dad was the youngest child and only son of Albert Jonathan and Loretta E. Taylor (nee Palmer) from Mariners Harbor, and Fort Plain, NY and the brother of Jessie Dunn, Winifred Ogden, and Eleanor Merrillo, who have preceded him to their final resting places.

As a young man, he loved to play basketball at the schools that he attended. Albert was a graduate of PS-44 and Mckee Voc & Tech HS. He married Marilyn Louise Devery before proudly serving his country in the USAF from 1958-1961.

Professionally, Albert reinvented himself several times throughout his life to overcome unexpected challenges that were thrust upon him. He worked at Great Lakes Dredge and Dry Dock as a tugboat Diesel engine mechanic, Mobil oil delivery company as diesel truck mechanic, Brewers Shipyard as a night watchman as he attended day classes to become an electronic service technician, Extel as the NYC service department manager with an office that he ran on the 84th floor in the northern tower of The World Trade Center, Amtrak Railways in the trackside electronic maintenance department, and then finally the New Jersey Transit railroad electronic repair department for their locomotives and passenger cars.

He is survived by his daughter Leslie S. Taylor-Burke, her husband James and their daughter Fiona G. Burke with whom he loved to travel to fairs, festivals and art shows to assist Leslie in selling her stylish personally designed pieces.

He is further survived by his son Dean Taylor, his wife Violeta Taylor and their teenage daughters Danica and Nicole, all of whom reside in Charlotte, NC.

We would like to thank all of you for your untiring support of Dad, Leslie and me during this very stressful period of our lives.

Dad bravely met the end of his great life on his own terms.

Dad's Funeral information:

Harmon Funeral Home

571 Forest Ave

Staten Island, NY 10310

(718) 442-5056

Viewing:

Wednesday, October 16th, 2019

2-4 pm and 7-9 pm

There will be an Air Force presentation at 7:30 pm.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/…/…/harmon-funeral-home/1149

In lieu of flowers, Leslie and I would like to request that donations be made in the name of our father to either of the outstanding Veterans support groups listed below:

Rolling Thunder®, so that they may continue their actions honoring veterans and P.O.W.s of all services

Rolling Thunder® Chapter 2 New York

c\o Vincent Perno

84 Meagan Ln

Staten Island, NY 10307

http://www.rollingthunder2ny.com/

Special Operations Warrior Foundation, so that they can continue supporting the educational needs of the children of fallen Green Berets.

Special Operations Warrior Foundation

Help the Children of the Fallen

PO Box 89367, Tampa, FL 33689

https://specialops.org/

https://specialops.org/ways-to-give/