You are cordially invited to join the Celebration of Life for Robert “Bob” Taylor. Please gather with his family on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 2:00 pm in the Bethel Lutheran Church, Elbow, SK. Following the service, there will be lunch and fellowship. Before the service, a private family interment will take place. Memorial donations can be made to the Elbow United Church, Bethel Lutheran Church, and the Elbow/Loreburn Legion. Your presence and support are deeply appreciated during this time of remembrance and reflection.

It is with heavy hearts but gladness that Glenn and Lois announce the peaceful passing of their father, Robert David Taylor. He left their embrace to enter the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ on January 11, 2024, at 4:15 am. He passed away in the Sherbrooke Veterans Village where he spent the last four months. He was still a wise 102 years and 28 days old grandfather.

Dad was born on December 14, 1921, in Carmen, Manitoba to Grace (nee Mower) and Joe Taylor. The family moved west of Strongfield in 1912, where he attended Copenhagen school, growing up close by the Ulven, Niska and Hoveland families.

He joined the Air Force in 1942 and trained as a pilot and Bomb Aimer, going overseas in 1944, where he was stationed in England. Returning after World War II ended, he started farming east of Elbow. He married the love of his life, Irene Jackson on April 9, 1949, and they made their home together in Elbow.

They were blessed with a son Glenn in 1951 and a daughter Lois in 1955. In 1954 dad built the “Taylor Motors“ service station in downtown Elbow. He had a Cockshutt and a GM dealership alongside his BA and later a Gulf garage.

Dad was a quiet, gentle soul and probably wouldn’t want us to boast about his accomplishments, but we are so proud of all his community involvements and leadership to promote the town of Elbow during the 65 years he lived there. Besides his work, he drove school bus in the country for many years. He held many volunteer positions including the town council, he was fire chief, the chairman of the board of stewart’s for the United Church, president of the Kinsmen Club, chairman of the Credit Union for numerous years, and also served on the rink and wildlife committees. He was a member of the Hawarden Masonic Lodge and an active member of the Elbow-Loreburn Legion.

Dad always worked closely with the RCMP, taking his tow truck out in the middle of many stormy nights, and was appointed Justice of the Peace and District Coroner for close to 40 years, well into his 80s.

He was a Municipal Hail adjuster for eleven years, after he sold the service station, all the while continuing as Justice of the Peace and Coroner.

Dad was an avid outdoorsman, filling his last deer tag while he was in his 80’s, with his son Glenn. Dad enjoyed deer hunting trips and many early mornings goose hunting with good friend Perry F. He loved to go on fishing adventures up north to Delaronge with mom, and friends Elmer, Ruth, Harry, and Irene. George and Bea also enjoyed fishing together and worked with dad at the garage.

Dad and Mom had some special trips to Jamaica, Italy, Holland, Hawaii, and several Grey Cups across Canada. Mom, Dad, Elmer, and Ruth held Roughrider season tickets for 40 years together, often flying to games in Elmer’s plane. Dad loved the water and had one of the first boats on Lake Diefenbaker. Dad and good friend Tub M would always win the boating regattas they organized on the lake.

Keeping their home in Elbow, mom and dad moved into the Ilarion Residence in 2008 for the winter months and eventually sold their home after 65 years in Elbow. In the Ilarion, they made lifelong friends. Dad officially got bingo established twice a week in the building, calling numbers with Elenore F until he was 96 years old. He and mom continued to play even after he quit calling numbers. Mom and Dad enjoyed close to 72 years of married life together. Mom passed peacefully three years ago on January 16, 2021. Grandpa Taylor was always very proud of their six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and kept right up with their achievements until passing. Dad’s twelfth great-grandchild is due in February.

Dad was predeceased by his wife, our mom (Irene), his parents Joe and Grace Taylor, his stepmom Leonore Taylor, his five siblings: brother Jack (Ruth) Hotell; sisters Josie (Wilf’s mom’s brother) Jackson, Jacquie (Willard) Webb, Phyllis (Al) Mammel and Hope McLean. Mom’s parents John and Emma Jackson; and mom‘s twelve siblings; Alfred, Vieno, Lempy Wilf (Josie), Edwin (Edith), Arnie, Vieno (Howard) Homier, Leo (Bernice), Elmer, Edna (George) Arnall, Ellen (Doug) Penny and Emil (Adeline)

Dad is survived by his SON Glenn and daughter-in-law Marilyn Taylor and their three children: daughter Erin (Darren) James with children Matthew and Katelyn; son Dr. Brian (Clare) Taylor; son Dr. Mark (Dr. Bev Wudel) Taylor with children Olivia and Gabriel.

Dad is also survived by his DAUGHTER Lois and son-in-law Keith Forrest, and their three children: son Justin (Theresa) Forrest with children, Maximus, Capri and Jack; son Robbie (April) Forrest with children Kale and Lexi; daughter Trish (Mike) Tomlenovich with children Adley and Kya; and numerous special nieces and nephews.

Our family wishes to thank the Ilarion Residence staff and residents (especially bingo players) and the Veterans Village staff in the Sherbrooke Community Center for the lifelong friendships dad made and the care that was given.

Thank you Dr. Aaron Friggstad and Dr. Myles Deutscher for being so professional and attentive to our father's needs. A very special thank you to Dorothy C, the angel who checked in on dad and visited several times a day in the Ilarion. Her friendship was invaluable. Dad also loved his Ukrainian “girls“ Oksana M, Iryna K, Hanna M, Hanna K, and Luda who prepared his breakfast, tidied his suite and just cared about him. You were all angels on earth… Thank You. Dad held these women very close to his heart and they all continued to visit after he moved to Sherbrooke.

An announcement for dad’s Celebration of Life will be published later to take place at the end of April 2024 in Elbow.