CDR John “Jack” Taylor, USN Ret.

CDR John “Jack” Brownlee Taylor, USN Ret., age 87, passed away at his home on Friday, April 15, 2017 in Atlantic Beach, FL, surrounded by his loving family after a heroic fight with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Jack was born on April 14,1930 to Robert and Mable (Brownlee) Taylor in Ocean City, New Jersey.  After graduating from Ocean City High School in 1947, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 1953. In 1968, he received a MS in Petroleum Management from Kansas University.

Jack served 24 years in the US Navy with 15 duty stations including three years in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he was the supply officer for advanced base headquarters of the Antarctica support force.  His last duty station was at Mayport Naval Station as the supply officer for Conservron Two. He received the Navy Commendation Medal with Star, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Antarctica Service Medal with Star. He then went on to manage the Navy Federal Credit Union at the Mayport Naval base for 10 years and retired in 1987.

Jack grew up on the Atlantic Ocean and loved boats and fishing. He passed his love of both to his children who have fond memories of summer visits at his parents in Ocean City, NJ. Jack would assume command of his father’s boat, the Hunky Dory, where he enjoyed the day out crabbing and fishing with his family.  He continued his love of the ocean in Newport RI, where he and his family renovated their cabin cruiser. Summer weekends you would find the whole family out on the ocean fishing for bluefish and pulling up their lobster traps in Narragansett Bay.

He could repair anything he set his mind to do. The Taylor name was apparent in his talent for upholstering furniture and making window treatments. Jack loved to play tennis and consistently beat his opponents with his backspin slice.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Victoria Ann (Terreta) Taylor; sons, Mark (Sonja), Scott (Tulie), and daughter Jill (Randy); four grandchildren: Paul, Ellen, Savannah and Marina, and his two dogs, Sophie and Sadie.

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mable (Brownlee) Taylor of Ocean City, NJ; his brother Robert Taylor of White Bear Lake, MN; and his sister Mary Becotte of Ocean City, NJ.

Jack’s family wishes to thank his long-term caregivers, especially Gail, Manuel, Mimi and Shawna - words cannot express our appreciation for your dedication, hard work and the companionship you provided Jack. The family also would like to express our gratitude to Community Hospice for their professional and caring support of Jack and his family during this last year.

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 20, 2017, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jack’s life.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Cure PSP organization at www.psp.org and St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church and Community Hospice at  www.communityhospice.com.