Leslie TAYLOR

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TAYLOR: Leslie (Les) George, aged 93 years, beloved husband of Irene Florence Taylor (deceased 1998); father of Sharon Elizabeth Parker; grandfather of Bradley James Parker, Wesley Allan Parker; great grandfather of Emily Jane Parker, Kristopher David Parker, Keara Jean Parker and Quinn Thomas Parker; passed away August 10th, 2009 at Brandon Regional Health Centre. Dad was born September 27th, 1915 at home at 220-11th Street East, Brandon, Manitoba to Cyril Robert Taylor (born Croydon, England) and Beatrice Taylor (born Croydon, England). Dad lived his full life in Brandon, growing up an "East Ender" during the depression where he and his older brothers spent much of their teenage years going around to local farms trying to locate work. He spent part of those years helping build Clear Lake Park in the 1930's. Dad married my mother on February 21, 1942 at the manse at 360 Frederick Street East, Brandon, Manitoba and began their dedicated life together. He joined the army in June of 1942 as a "gunner" with the R.C.A. Reinforcements (Canadian Field Force) stationed in Winnipeg. He was medically discharged in March 1943. From there he went on to work with the C.N.R. as a machinist until the round-house was closed and torn down; which was located on First Street and McTavish Avenue. From there he did odd jobs until securing a position with the Manitoba Hydro (Steam Generating Station) until his retirement in the 1980's. His job there was very interesting as he tells; they had to take salt pills and carry their tools in a pale of cold water to handle them as it was so hot in the area were he worked. During those years he enjoyed curling and fellowship with the Hydro employees, making new friendships and remembrances. My dad enjoyed life immensely; adjusting to the hard times and good times with his positive, optimistic attitude. "That’s how life was." He told some great stories of his early days of hardship and survival that everyone was experiencing back then. He did so with humour and always ending with his little laugh "tee hee” as if to say, it wasn't so bad. These stories were few and far between as he was quite private about some things in his life. Always making the best of a hard situation. With great pride he worked hard to build our home with his own hands around 1950-51 and moved us from downtown Brandon to 316 Douglas Street. He enjoyed sitting under his crabapple tree in the summers looking at his yard and watching "his" wrens that had returned in the spring to nest in the little houses he had built for them. He made sure they were never bothered by any "critters" that might lurk around with his trusty pellet gun on the picnic table beside him. It was quite humorous to watch him, reminded me of something out of the old Wild West! It amused his grandsons to see him also, especially when he had to test drive the first dirt bike they were thinking of buying. He was game for just about anything. I remember when he had trained a squirrel in our yard to come and sit on his shoulder and take peanuts to eat or hide. He enjoyed taking long walks out in the East End prairie, sometimes shooting a prairie chicken and bringing it home much to my mother's dislike! Dad enjoyed people; helping anyone in the neighborhood with tasks they couldn't manage themselves due to illness or loss. As the years went by and retirement left him alone, he made many new friends up at the 18th Street Mall Food Court. His daily visits for coffee and buying 50-cent lottery tickets amongst themselves and sharing the winnings (which they did darn good at) along with many stories and jokes, brought him great enjoyment and delight. He really thought highly of his coffee buddies there (and you know who you are!). I called him my "social butterfly dad". He could be very stubborn in a nice sort-of-way but it was just wonderful to see him enjoy life to the fullest to the very end of a long life and pass on the way he lived it with dignity, acceptance and respect. He was a wonderful dad and even greater grandfather and great grandfather. We all miss him, his caring and stimulating conversations where he could get you going and leave with a smile on his face! We have been privileged to have had him in our lives for so long. Dad leaves behind two brothers, Clarence Taylor of High River, Alberta, and Douglas (Doug) Taylor of Brandon, Manitoba. There are numerous nieces and nephews who he thoroughly enjoyed their company and visits with. Dad was pre-deceased by four brothers and one sister. A wonderful graveside service was held at the Rosewood Memorial Gardens on Friday, August 14th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with Arlene Robertson officiating with a great farewell and "Celebration of Life" to my "Dad." Thanks to all of you who remembered him and he would want you to live your lives to the fullest also. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 17, 2009