March 23, 2025
In loving memory ~
Harold Allan ("Al") Taylor (1933-2025) passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025, supported by the kind caregivers at Williams Lake Seniors Village in Williams Lake, B.C.
Al's life was woven with action, a sense of adventure and discovery. Raised in Copper Cliff, Ontario, he was a high school quarterback and hardball pitcher who later enjoyed curling, bowling and card games like Euchre (with some occasional gambling on the side). As a parent, he watered rinks, coached hockey and raised money through bingo for the Valley East Minor Hockey Association, where he became President.
A community-oriented person who loved the outdoors, Al was also a boy scout leader and enjoyed discussing the local politics of the day. He loved music and, with first wife (and mother of his five children), Margaret, knew his way around the dance floor.
He was a flight cadet at 12 years old, leading to an early career with the Royal Canadian Air Force. While a junior pilot, he was selected to visit England, where he shook hands with the Queen. His service took him to the Yukon, where he started his family. He was later stationed in Halifax, then Clinton, when he left the service to settle down in Val Caron/Sudbury, where he did some mining and operated trains for Inco. Restless, he worked as a sales rep for Electrolux and Maytag, sold real estate, cooked pizzas and finally had his own poolhall/fast food/arcade business. Throughout all, his joy of being in nature - fishing, hunting, camping - was clear, and he was able to easily pass this love along to his growing family.
Extending his adventure to Wells, British Columbia, Al continued the outdoors work with prospecting and placer mining - chasing the gold. He would frequent the Jack O Clubs where, while chatting with him, you might have found it hard to separate the truth from fiction. Al supplemented his claims by laying pipe in Alberta. Somehow, he became President of the Cariboo Miners Association, and fortunately, he met Sue Brown, who provided some much-needed (and appreciated) balance to that sometimes-wilder side of his life. Staying with Ted & Maureen Brown, they formed a team of strong wills and energy, always supporting each other - sometimes dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus at Christmas time.
Dad lived beyond 91, he will be missed by those whose hearts he touched. The family offers their heartfelt thanks to Maureen (Ted) Brown for her unflagging care and devotion to Al during his many challenging moments.
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