Jim Mervyn Taylor
1938-2024
Passed away peacefully at Juravinski Hospital, Hamilton on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the age of 86 years. He had a sudden downturn in health as his heart began to fail him.
Prior to mid July 2024, you would find Jim Taylor at one of the Kitchener Senior Centres playing cards or participating in groups almost every day. His bio picture, taken recently is Jim outside of the Rockway Seniors Centre, likely having won some portion of the bid euchre prize money! He made his home in Kitchener with son Don and daughter-in-law Jean after the passing of his wife Lynette in October 2023. During his sudden decline in health his care needs were higher, and his daughter Karen and son-in-law Ross were able to care for him at their home in Hamilton. Grandchildren visited frequently as he was a proud grandfather and great grandfather to many and you would often find Jim telling them how much he loved them!
Jim was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and was peaceful in passing. He would tell people “It’s not what you know, it is about who you know!”
Jim Taylor was born and raised in Lion’s Head, Ontario on January 26,1938 to parents Westley and Isabel Taylor. Jim was his actual full name as people often asked him to clarify. He was the youngest of nine siblings in the Taylor family. His sister Margaret was 5 years older than him and Jim would often say in the early years she was more like a mother to him. Margaret would recount the many challenges of caring for young Jim. One memorable time was when at 18 months of age when he somehow slipped out of the front door when Margaret was busy with friends. She remembered well the trouble she got into when Jim was found running around downtown Lion’s Head wearing nothing but his diaper!
Jim recounted that his first job was working for his father for the Taylor Telephone Company as a young teenager. He was late to a shift one day which was the end of working for the family business as Westley did not tolerate lateness from anyone, even his youngest child. Jim was never late for anything the rest of his life if he could help it. In fact, he was almost always early for the rest of his life.
He married and moved down to the Kitchener/Guelph area where he had his four children in his early 20’s. Jim was the proud father of Karen (Ross) Scott and Donald (Jean) Taylor. He was predeceased by daughter Susan (Suzie) Taylor and son Steven (Karen) Taylor.
Jim was a salesman through and through! He successfully sold Snap On Tools, then automotive supplies for Bowes Seal Fast and later for Pitman Ford. He had a series of difficult years and found a lifeline in God through the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. He would often tell of the beginning of his sobriety journey which started with bringing his son Don to AA for Don to hear the message and then staying himself as he realized he needed it first.
Jim began to rebuild his life. He became a proud member of AA in Guelph and Kitchener; in fact, he had celebrated over 41 years of sobriety! He encouraged many with his testimony of recovery. He was very involved in the founding of the Lion’s Head group of AA and was a regular attendee and inspiration to many.
He and Lynette Tigert were married in 1984, finding love and happiness together as they two-stepped at music events and often even in their kitchen. After some years they moved back together to Lion’s Head their childhood home. Lynette had three adult children Jenny (Willie) Weatherhead and, Glenna Miller and Patricia Taylor in whose lives Jim was active as well as in the lives of their children. During that time, Jim sold automotive supplies and then cleaning supplies. Together with Lynette, they owned and ran Lion’s Head Beach Motel and then Taylor Bed & Breakfast. Lynette did the cleaning and decorating and Jim made the buckwheat pancakes and drove the Home-to-Home guests. He loved to share the amazing Lion’s Head area and the Bruce Trail. They hosted hundreds of people from Ontario and around the world. Always ready with a friendly greeting and a jest or two Jim took an interest in each person he met.
His beloved Lynette passed away in October 2023. Missed by sisters-in-law Donna (Lloyd) Taylor and Janet (Jack) Taylor. Jim was last of his family of 9 siblings, Jim was predeceased by his sisters Margaret Urbshott (Jim/Don/Dean) in July 2024 and Lula Campbell (Roy), brothers Harry, Roy (Hazel), Ross (Bridgette), Lynn (Trudy), Lloyd and Jack.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life is being held Sunday August 25, 2024 from 1 to 4 pm at the Lion’s Head Beach Pavilion open to all. In Jim’s honour there will be time of remembrance, a live band and time for people to gather, share memories, explore the Taylor family history and lunch will be provided. Please bring a lawn chair, your own beverages and anything else you would like at the beach!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation as expressions of sympathy.
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com. Please visit Jim’s obituary notice on Facebook.