He was born in Princeton B.C. in the year of the Great Flood of 1948. After several moves around the Province the family settled in Cranbrook in the early 1960s. During his early teens, Neil worked on crusher and paving crews in the West Kootenays until he started full time work in Cranbrook on the green chain at Crestbrook Forest Industries in 1973. He remained there until his retirement after 35 years of service.

Neil participated in several sports and tried his hand at different hobbies. Hockey was his #1 and he remained a dedicated Vancouver Canucks fan. Baseball saw him as a true Toronto Bluejays supporter. He played hockey, competed in handgun shooting, loved snowmobiling and stockcar racing with his brother Lee and was an avid fan of Indy car racing. He had many hobbies over the years, photography, soap making, painting, working with glass and metal were a few of them.

He enjoyed weekly truck rides with his ” girl ” Thistle the Airedale and the apple fritters they shared by the Wildhorse River. He loved animals, particularly dogs and he spoke of several that came to comfort and watch over him during his last weeks, including a small grey kitten that walked calmly into his hospital room.

Neil was predeceased by parents Larry and Kay Taylor, his daughter Tracy and son Brett.

He is survived by his sister Lynn and brother Lee as well as his Uncle Lewis, niece Laura, nephew Kyle, several Grandchildren as well as many cousins both in Canada and in England.

Our heartfelt thanks to the many doctors and nurses that cared for Neil, particularly the nurses on the 3rd floor EKRH, you show everyday what comfort, dignity and quality of life are all about, it has not gone unnoticed.

Those wishing to make a donation in Neil’s name, please think of the Cranbrook Kimberley Hospice Society for the new care facility which is greatly needed in our community

” We know you are waiting for us on the beach ”

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