Obituary of John B. Taylor
John Bartell Taylor, 67, passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday, November 15th, 2020.
John was born in Rome, NY, on February 14th, 1953, the 6th of eight children and youngest son of William J. and Alice Fitzgerald Taylor. He attended kindergarten in the one-room schoolhouse on Elmer Hill Road, going on to St. Mary’s and Rome Catholic High School, class of 1971. He was a proud graduate of Mohawk Valley Community College.
John was married to Joelle Procopio Taylor on October 23rd, 1976, at St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center. He was employed for many years at Bartell Machinery Systems, Laser Transit Corp., and most recently by Turning Stone Casino, where he enjoyed both the customers at his blackjack table as well as his fellow employees.
John lived a life of service, beginning as an altar boy at St. Mary’s Church. He was elected to the parish council at St. Joseph’s multiple times and served two terms as president. He was a board member of the Town of Lee Little League, and coached both baseball and girls’ softball. He also served on the board of the Oneida Lake Sailing Club for several years.
John was an avid hunter and spent as much time as possible at the family hunting camp in Osceola, NY. He was an accomplished sailor of boats large and small and had a deep and abiding love of Oneida Lake, where he spent childhood summers at the family camp outside of Sylvan Beach. More than anything, he was generous and quick-witted, always at the ready with a helping hand and a laugh.
John is survived by his wife, Joelle; children, John Taylor, M.D. and Christopher Madson of Cambridge, MA; and Rachel Taylor, Brooklyn, NY; brothers, W. Joseph Taylor, Rome; and Gerald and Mary Ellen Taylor, Canastota; sisters, Mary Alice and Larry Kehoe, Hilton Head, SC; Cathy and Bill DeMare, Tampa, FL; Ann and John Cooney, Temple, TX; Martha and Tom Tavantzis, Media, PA; and Therese Taylor, Barre, VT; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Greg and Cathy Procopio, Durham NC; beloved grandson, Jude William Taylor-Madson; and 17 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Sandra Taylor.
There are no calling hours. A memorial mass and celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date.
Contributions in John’s memory may be made to Jervis Public Library, 613 N. Washington St., Rome, NY, 13440, or the Humane Society of Rome 6247 Lamphear Rd., Rome, NY 13440.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.
Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.
