Obituary of Clarke Taylor

With sadness we announce the sudden passing of Clarke Taylor, 86, at Leamington General Hospital on Sunday October 12, 2008. Late of Harrow. He is survived by Kathryn (Kay), his wife of 61 years; six children, Allen (Mavis Tidd) of Toronto, Arthur (Ann Roy) of Hamilton, Kathleen (Jim Thorsley) of Fingal, ON, Peter of Vancouver, Barry (Patricia Mazier) of Antigonish, NS, Richard (Donna Andronik) of Manotick, ON; and three grandchildren, Jennifer Thorsley (Martin Aeschlimann) of Zurich, Switzerland, and Jason and Lisa Thorsley of Fingal. Also two brothers, Raymond (Gloria) of California, and Jerry (Rena) of Windsor; and two sisters, Gloria (the late Al Johnson), of California and Shirley Kerr (Adam), of Windsor, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by two sisters, Madeline Hall (1990) and Violet Grant (2002). Clarke was born April 15, 1922, on the 3rd Concession of Colchester South, son of Allen and Edna (Brush) Taylor. He left school early to help his father with the family farm, and he continued to live on, and farm, that same property until late in his life. In 1941 he started on the line at GM in Windsor, where he stayed for his working life, except for his service in the army in 1943-45. As a gunner in the Fort Garry Horse regiment, he participated in the liberation of France, Belgium and Holland. In 1947 he married Kay Coursey and together they raised a large family. He retired from GM in 1978 after almost 37 years, the last 20 as a foreman. He was active in the United Church, and in 2000 was named "Member of the Year" by the A.O.T.S. He was also active in the Legion and never missed the Remembrance Day Ceremony. He had a life-long interest in the history of his family and this part of the world, and was an early member of H.E.I.R.S., later serving a term as President. In retirement he and Kay travelled, visiting family across the US and Canada until Clarke's Parkinson curtailed their trips. Through fierce determination Clarke actively maintained his independence and spirit in spite of advancing Parkinsons. Visitation at Gerald A. Smith Funeral Home 197 King St. W. Harrow Wednesday from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A service to celebrate Clarkes life will be held at the funeral home on Thursday October16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. David Steadman officiating. Interment at Colchester Memorial Cemetery. Memorial donations to be made to the Harrow United Church or the Nature Conservancy of Canada. You may send your online condolences at www.geraldasmith.ca.