Richard Blair Taylor
Richard Blair Taylor, 78, of Houston, formerly of Eighty Four, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 9, 2019, in Donnell House, Washington.
He was born August 17, 1940, in Blairsville, a son of Raymond and Frances Intihar Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was a graduate of Derry Area High School.
Dick started his working career as a butcher and meat manager for Roxie’s in Massachusetts. For many years, he owned West End Market in Canonsburg and retired in 2002 from Taylor Brokerage, where he brokered retail and wholesale food for Center of the Plate Food Suppliers.
He was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy for four years from 1959 to 1963. His assignment was on the USS Pawcatuck, which was deployed with a carrier group in the North Atlantic and was involved during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Mr. Taylor was fiercely protective of the people he loved, especially his wife, children and grandchildren.
Dick was an avid golfer and longtime member of the Washington Country Club.
His other joys included fishing, hunting and spending time on his farm in Eighty Four.
On July 30, 1984, he married Thelma Gwinn, who survives.
Also surviving are daughter Lorraine Parrish (Colonel Michael Parrish) of West Point, N.Y.; three sons, Richard Taylor (Monica) of Van Cleave, Miss., James Richey (Carol) of Houston and Benjamin Richey of Washington; nine grandchildren, Brooke and Taylor Withers, Wrenn, Jordan, Robbie and Kylen Taylor, Dillon Richey (Rachel) and Hanna and Ella Richey; two sisters, Lil Dustin and Betsy Long, both of Blairsville; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased are three brothers, Raymond “Hezz,” Robert “Buzz” and William “Boob” Taylor.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, February 15, in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. A private service with full military honors will be accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191, Canonsburg.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Concordia Hospice of Washington, 10 Leet Street, Washington, PA 15301.
Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.