Obituary of Richard Alexander Taylor
With broken hearts, we the family of Richard “Rick” Alexander Taylor of Glen Keen announce his passing on Sunday, August 11, 2024 at St Martha’s Regional Hospital, surrounded by love and in the arms of his beloved wife.
Born in Halifax on October 1, 1936, Rick was the chosen son of Alex and Muriel Taylor. He grew up in Halifax and enjoyed fun times at the cottage at Lake Charlotte. He loved music and taught himself to play on a borrowed guitar as a teenager. He enjoyed years of playing rock-and-roll and country in various bands across the country and at home.
In 1959 Rick joined the Canadian Armed Forces (RCAF) and proudly served for 27 years, with postings from Newfoundland to British Columbia and many places in between. The highlight of his military career was time spent in Canada’s North, above the Arctic Circle on Ellesmere Island, NWT. He found beauty in the remote vastness of it all, saw polar bears, muskox and wolves and grew a beard for the only time in his life!
Just before shipping off with the military Rick met and fell in love with Edith Grant. He left her “crying in the smoke along the tracks” when he left for Basic Training, but their love persevered. They were married in 1962, and were celebrating more than 62 years of being 2 peas in a pod. They were blessed with three children and three grandchildren.
After retirement, Rick and Edie moved to Edie’s family farm in Glen Keen, Guysborough County. His home there was his happy place. He loved to sit outside under the apple tree, enjoying the beautiful view of the Milford Haven River, listening to the breeze in the trees and seeing eagles soaring overhead.
Rick will always be remembered as a kind gentle man who loved his family with all of his sweet heart. When bringing up his family there was always fun and happy times - camping and canoeing and exploring adventures. These special times continued with the grandkids – fishing, picnics, bonfires, fireworks, birthdays and Christmas and lots of together-time.
Rick was a proud Canadian and believed that we were lucky to live in the best country in the world. He was a history buff and an avid collector of military memorabilia and books. He loved going to airshows and never missed the NS Tattoo. He enjoyed watching sports; he was a big fan of the Patriots and the Blue Jays and was a true believer that the Maple Leafs Stanley Cup winning year was imminent. He was a great photographer, capturing family moments the beauty of nature. Rick was always whistling, making bird noises and had countless “isms” that will always remind us of him. He was always an easy person to talk to and had a beautiful smile for everyone.
Rick is survived by the love of his life Edie, daughter Dawne of Bedford, son Mark at home, daughter-in-law Trudy (Steve) and his dear grandchildren Josh, Shane and Karlie (Devin) as well as an extended family of special nieces, nephews and in-laws.
In 2010, Rick lost his son Billy – a loss that caused his light to dim for the rest of his life. He was also predeceased by his parents Alex and Muriel Taylor, adopted sister Vivian, parents-in law Will and May Grant and sister-in-law Eileen.
Rick lived his life as a quiet private man, and as he would have wished, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation has taken place. A private family celebration of life will be held in the future.
Without fail, his last words would always be “love you”. We knew that he loved us all and we loved him to the moon and back. He will be incredibly missed and will stay in hearts forever.
Rick…Dad...Grampie…Go rest high on that mountain.
In Loving Memory
Richard Taylor
1936 - 2024
