Robert Taylor

Mr. Robert Taylor, age 93, formerly of Great Valley and Eden Heights, Olean, NY died peacefully at The Pines of Olean on Monday March 8, 2010.

Born on December 17, 1916 in Jamestown, New York he was the son of the late Shirley and Minnie Lowe Taylor. He was married on July 23, 1943 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to the former Charlotte Folts, who predeceased him on January 9, 2007.

Mr. Taylor was a 1937 graduate of Great Valley High School. During his school years, he was a member of the first Boy Scout troop in Great Valley, the members of which remained lifelong friends.

Mr. Taylor was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, serving from 1942 through 1945. He was trained as a pilot and became a radio instructor. He was awarded the American Theater Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Medal.

A lifelong resident of Great Valley, New York, he had owned and operated Taylor’s Triangle Store in Great Valley from 1950 through 1970. After that, he was employed in the Bread Department at Parkview Supermarket prior to his retirement, and was a caretaker at Green Cemetery in Great Valley, New York.

He was a member of the Great Valley Baptist Church and a charter member of the Great Valley Fire Department. Bob and his late wife, Charlotte, were noted for their warm hospitality, frequently welcoming guests to their home for meals and overnight accommodations. They loved to travel, making several road trips around the country and enjoying a Carribean cruise in 1993 celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of his life.

Surviving are three daughters: Shirley (William) Shafer of Cortland, NY, Mary (Allen) White of Perkasie, PA, and Judy (Jeffrey) Zariczny of Great Valley; six grandchildren, Christopher Silvers of Rochester, NY, Karin (Dem) Jones of Victor, NY, Andrew (Keri) White of San Diego, CA, Benjamin (Jennifer) White of Doylestown, PA, Rebekah Gillman of Salamanca, NY, Katie (Jacob) Taylor, of Great Valley; three step-grandchildren, Jeffrey (Donna) Zariczny of Warren, PA, David (Brenda) Zariczny, of Penfield, NY, Sarah Zariczny of Salamanca; twelve great-grandchildren, George Gillman, James Gillman, Grant Gillman, Reese Jones, Jack Jones, Owen White, Ian White, Colton Taylor, Adrian Taylor, Emma White, Samuel White, Logan White; six step-great-grandchildren, Cassie Jo Grinols, Jeffrey Zariczny, Alex Zariczny, Kiel Zariczny, Jordan Zariczny, and Nathan Zariczny, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Taylor was predeceased by a brother, Howard Fuller, and a sister, Evelyn Maddox.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursday at the First Baptist Church from 10-11 a.m. when funeral and committal services will be held with the Reverend Randy De Santis officiating.

Burial will be in Green Cemetery, Great Valley, New York.

Family suggests memorials to the Great Valley Baptist Church.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com.