Stuart John Taylor

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stuart John Junior Taylor.

Stu was born in Victoria, British Columbia, to Stuart and Joyce Taylor. When he was four years old, his family moved to Scarborough, Ontario, where he spent much of his childhood. At 18, Stu moved to the family farm near Sunderland, Ontario, and not long after, he made his way to Red Deer, Alberta.

In Red Deer, Stu worked at Canada Packers, where

he became Union President. Around 1986, he made his way back west to British Columbia, which became the place where he would spend the rest of his working life and ultimately call home.

Stu was a hard worker. Work was a huge part of who he was, and he spent many years doing demanding, hands-on work that took him all over the province. He worked in the logging and forestry industry, including tree planting, tree falling, log hauling and forestry camps. He owned his own logging truck and spent long days on the road and in logging camps.

Stu also worked with water trucks during several wildfires, hauling water loads and helping wherever he was needed. He spent time in and around camps in places such as Terrace, Prince George and Smithers, repairing and working on trucks and trailers and hauling loads. He was someone who could always find a way to keep working, fix something, help someone or get the job done. His strength and perseverance (and sometimes stubbornness) carried him through a life that was not always easy.

Eventually, Stu made his home on Vancouver Island at Oyster River, BC. It was a place that meant a great deal to him, and he often talked about retiring there. After a lifetime of moving around and working hard, Oyster River became the place he could call home.

Stu is survived by his siblings and their families: Nick and Wendy of Lacombe, Alberta; Steve and MaryAnn of Marmora, Ontario; and John and Deb of St. George, New Brunswick. He will also be remembered and deeply missed by his numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Stu is also survived by his daughter, Jennifer Nadia Anderson of Vancouver, BC, and her partner, Sylvie Hennebert; his son, Bruce Taylor and his partner, Lesa Noganosg; and his granddaughter, Shayna Taylor.

Stu was predeceased by his mother and father, Stuart and Joyce Taylor, and by his life partner, Thelma Louise Lapensee.

Stu’s life was not always an easy one, but it was a life marked by determination, hard work, wilderness, perseverance and many miles travelled. He built his life in his own way, from Ontario to Alberta and eventually to the beautiful coast of British Columbia.

Through his determination and willingness to keep going, no matter what life put in his path, Stu touched many lives and inspired others through his strength, work ethic and perseverance. For those who knew him, his presence, his stories and the memories he created will remain a part of their lives.

Stu was deeply loved, and his loss will be felt by so many. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, coworkers and all those whose lives he touched along the way. He leaves behind memories that will remain in the hearts of those who knew him.

He will always be a part of our stories, our memories and our hearts.

The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Merritt Hospital, including those who cared for Stu in Palliative Care and Acute Care and those who provided end-of-life care. We are deeply grateful for their compassion, support and dedication, and for the care they provided to Stu and his family during such a difficult time. Most importantly, we thank them for making sure Stu was comfortable and cared for with dignity, kindness and compassion.

May he finally find the rest he worked so hard for.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Stu Taylor’s memory to ForesTrust to support the next generation of BC forest professionals (fpbc.ca/forestrust).