Edward M. Taylor
November 4, 1917 – October 31, 2014
Edward M. Taylor, beloved father, age 96, of New Castle, DE, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2014, 4 days short of his 97th birthday.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware on November 4, 1917, he was the youngest of 6 children born to the late Robert Taylor and Ruth Beese Taylor. Eddie grew up on the streets of Wilmington, played semi pro baseball with the Eastlake AA and DuPont teams and oftentimes rode the Wilson Line to watch the Phillies and Athletics.
He attended Brown Technical High School and proudly enlisted in the US Navy, where he served 2 tours of duty between 1935 and 1945 aboard the USS Ranger CV4 and the USS Porter.
Eddie met the love of his life, Frances Fran Proud at a USO dance and they married in 1941. The couple made their home in New Castle until Fran’s passing in October of 2009 after sharing 68 years of marriage. Some of their happiest times were spent dancing together to music of the Big Band era.
Eddie was employed by the Colonial School District beginning in 1958, where he helped to open the George Read Jr. High School. He would later accept a position with the Brandywine School District, retiring in 1982 after many years of dedicated service. Additionally, he worked for the New Castle Methodist Church for 20 years.
Eddie and Fran raised 2 daughters who cared for them in their home until their passing. They were amazing parents, and Eddie taught his girls to fish, ice skate, ride bikes, play baseball and drive. He spent his leisure time planting his flower and vegetable gardens. Most of his veggies were given to family and friends. He continued planting and tending his garden until July of this year.
In addition to his parents, Eddie was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Fran, brothers, Wilfred Red Taylor, Robert Bob Taylor and Leslie Les Taylor, sisters, Ruth Holdway and Lillian Alford; sister-in-law, Margaret Paladnietti and brother-in-law, Leslie Bowen. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Coe and husband, Charles (Chuck) of San Benito, TX and Gale Taylor of New Castle, DE; grandson, Clifford Cross (Christina) of Conroe, TX; great granddaughters, Sarah and Madison Cross; grand dog, Molly; sister-in-law, Mary E. Bowen; brothers-in-law, William Proud and Rudolph Paladnietti; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday morning, November 7, 2014, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am and 11:30 am. Interment will follow in Glebe Cemetery, New Castle, DE.
Flowers are greatly appreciated or memorial contributions may be sent to the Joseph B Stahl Memorial Post 30 Building Fund, 3 East Jackson Avenue, New Castle, DE 19720 or to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, Second Floor Newark, DE 19711, in memory of Edward and Frances Taylor.
Joanna (Siekierda) Gore
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a wonderful man and father and I know you will miss him.
With Deepest Sympathy, Joanna
Linda Coe
Happy 97th Birthday Dad. I know this is not where you planned on spending it and neither did Gale and I. We will have a piece of cake here for you and I’m sure Mom has baked a cake for you in Heaven. Dance to some tunes and celebrate your 97th. Love and miss you already. Linda and Gale
Linda Coe
Joanna, Thanks so much for your kind thoughts, Linda
Harold & Ellen Gooden
I am so glad I got to see Mr. T. in September. He always gave the best kisses and hugs….as Gale will attest, I couldn’t get enough!!! We loved talking baseball…Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies. Goodness he loved his team. We enjoyed talking with him about the Broncos and the Eagles as well. We will miss seeing his BEAUTIFUL flowers and vegetable garden, but God will keep him busy!!! Thank you Mr. T. for being such a dear, dear friend to our mother, Irene. We will miss your twinkling, inquisitive, and sincere eyes. Thank you for being such a great neighbor and know that your couldn’t have been blessed with better daughters than God gave you. We have ALL been blessed by your presence and love. Our love, Harold & Ellen.
Ed Pankowski
My condolences to the entire Taylor Family upon the passing of your beloved Eddie . A fine man, athlete, and great family man. I was fortunate to meet Eddie and serve as lawyer for The extended Family. My prayers are with you all now ….. Peace
Peg & Bob Holdway
To our first cousins Linda and Gale. We send our heartfelt sorrow for the loss of your Dad and my Uncle. We wish we could be with you but distance prevents it. We love you both as we did your mom and dad.
Eddie was the last of the Taylor Beese children and I am the first of the next gen1eration. Let’s hope I am able to approach his years on earth. There were only 12 years between us. I wish our fondest regards for all of our “Taylor” cousins .
Patti Piovoso
Gale and Linda, even though your dad lived a full, rewarding and exciting life, I know that it doesn’t take away the sadness in your hearts. Whenever he came in to see us at Rosehilll Plantery to buy plants for his garden, he always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. You could feel his kind heart just by looking into his eyes.
Now that all the stress and pressures that come with the caring and worrying you did during his last chapters in life are gone, maybe now you can slow down, breathe, and just be for a little while. Remember the good times and all the great lessons in life he taught you and share his life and love with everyone you know. He is in a better place now, be happy in his honor.
Kathy & Anthony
I have only had the pleasure of meeting your father one time. My, what an impression he left upon me. Such a sweet, kind gentleman. A gently giant. I am sure your mother is waiting for him with open arms, happy they both are together again. Many thoughts and prayers to the entire Taylor family. We love you…