Back to Message Board

Ralph Taylor - Class of 1953

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 18/Aug/2022
97.124.250.51

      Ralph Taylor, 86, of Ogden, Utah, and formerly of Newburgh, NY, passed away unexpectedly on March 19, 2022, due to an accidental fall at his home. Ralph was born June 16, 1935, to the late James Taylor and Ann Ruth (Hayes) Taylor. Ralph was a devoted husband to Agnes (Comisky) Taylor, aka Una, for 54 years until she passed away in 2013.

Ralph graduated from NFA in 1953 and joined the Air Force, proudly serving from 1953 to 1974. He worked as a Morse intercept decoder at St Lawrence Island, Alaska. In 1958 he was stationed at Kirknewton Air Base in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he met and married Una. In December 1964, Ralph received orders for Viet Nam. Other assignments included Stewart, Tyndall, Wiesbaden, and Ellington Air Force Bases. After retirement, Ralph received an associate's Degree from OCCC, attending night classes while working days at MacBeth. He later worked at Spence, and after retirement, he took a part-time job with Alders Wholesale Florist delivering to flower shops. Ralph often said Alders was his favorite job of all.

Ralph played golf, bowled in leagues, and looked forward to family cruising each December. He was a NY Yankee fan and enjoyed women's college basketball and softball games on TV. Ralph lived an active life at Treeo Senior living center in Ogden, Utah, attending games at Weber State University. Recently he learned to play shuffleboard and won the resident championship with his partner just days before he passed away.

Ralph was a poet, writing hundreds of poems over the last decade. He was a member of Poetry Soup, submitting entries for various contests. A few years ago, with the help of Treeo's staff, Ralph was able to publish a book of his poetry and was invited to read and discuss his poems at a Treeo function. He was proud to hand out personalized copies of his book, and his family is grateful to have this wonderful memento entitled "Thoughts and Memories in Rhyme."

Last year Ralph traveled to Washington DC with the Utah Honor Flight chaperoned by his great-granddaughter Rhianna and was met there by his granddaughter Courtney and daughter Susan. Four generations! The trip was indeed one of the highlights of his life, and he especially enjoyed all the letters written and delivered to him during the mail call portion of the journey.

Ralph is survived by 3 children; George Taylor (Louise), Susan Taylor (Ray Lustig), and Karen Jannotti (Tony); 10 Grandchildren: Scott Taylor, Heather Dunn (Phil), Eric Taylor; Courtney Austin, Dylan, and Makayla Jannotti; Joni Bird, Corey (Nancy), Shawn Wilson (Tanya ); 13 Great Grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Ralph is survived by siblings, Robert (Dawn) and sister Ruthann Golden, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. Ralph is predeceased by his wife Agnes, son Robert, Brother William, and Sister Joanne Seymour.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, August 26, at St. John's Catholic Church, 71 Murray Ave, Goshen, NY. A funeral service with full military honors will follow at 1 pm at Orange County Veterans Cemetery, 111 Craigville Rd, Goshen, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ralph's name to St Jude's or Shriner's Hospital.

Posted online on August 18, 2022

Published in Middletown Times Herald-Record