Obituary of John Taylor

John Alan Taylor was born Sept. 12, 1947 in Sarnia, Ontario with a twinkle in his eye, ready to laugh.  His father, Murray, worked in the family business at Taylor’s Furniture store in Sarnia. John’s mother, Marion, loved to play piano and care for her 3 boys.  John was the oldest “little” brother, in later years always standing on his tiptoes when posing for photos with his younger, taller brothers, Paul & Gord.

John studied pharmacy at the University of Toronto and at a very lucky Friday the 13th dance, John would meet a cute nursing student, Marion, who would become his wife of more than 50 years.

After graduation, John and Marion married and moved to Brockville, Ontario where John started his new job at Parke Davis.  This move was to be “just for a year or two” but was more than 53 years ago.  Brockville became the home that they loved and where they raised their 3 children, Kimberley, Christine and Michael.

John went to Queens University for his MBA.  This would change the course of his career as he graduated and became the owner-pharmacist first of Maxi Drug in Brockville, then Delta Community Pharmacy and finally of Brockville Pharmasave.  Working as a local pharmacist allowed him to spend everyday working with the communities he loved.  

Brockville was John’s home and he worked tirelessly at giving back, notably through his many years of work with BACLA, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the United Way and the Brock Trail.

John had a signature beard.  His brothers claim that the day John realized he wasn’t as good looking as his baby brothers, he stopped shaving and grew his beard - a beard he’d have for almost 50 years.  

John loved The Beatles, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Creemore beer, charity auctions and collecting records (he had thousands).  John inherited his wanderlust from his father, Murray, and John & Marion traveled all over the world, often with dear friends and family.   .

He truly loved, and was loved by, all 8 of his grandchildren, Ella, Isabel, Brooke, Camille, Georgia, Kate, Cameron and Luke.  

The entire Taylor family would like to thank all of those in the ambulance, police and emergency services who responded to John’s accident in Brockville.  With further thanks to the Kingston trauma and air ambulance team.  And finally, to the remarkable team at Kingston General Hospital, Kidd Davies 2 ICU unit who truly cared for John in his last days.  We owe all of you an unpayable debt.

A celebration of John’s life will be held Sunday June 30th at the Brockville Yacht Club from 1:00-3:30pm. Please stop in to share a memory, enjoy some of John’s favourite snacks and have a glass of punch. Leafs jerseys encouraged, others tolerated.
All welcome

For those of you wishing to make donations in John’s honour please consider the Brockville & Area Food Bank (www.brockvilleandareafoodbank.ca/donate/) or any charity that is meaningful to you.  This summer we will also be organizing donations to one of John’s favourite projects, the Brock Trail.

John’s death was an accident, but he lived with purpose.  He will be deeply missed, but remembered with joy.

Big Kiss.

Marion.  Kim & Greg, Ella, Cami & Georgia.  Chrissie & Blair, Izzy & Brooke.  Mike & Mel, Kate, Cameron & Luke.

Paul & Noreen, Mark & Mel, Kyle & Amy.

Gord & Irene, Allison & Joel, Marie & Alex.

Bill & Joy

Roy & Sandra