Robert Anthony Paul Taylor

child born to Bernardo and Graciella Taylor in New York City, following his

brother Bernardo who fell asleep in Christ as a baby and his sister,

Enid. He was baptized at Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in

Corona. He received his first Holy Communion and was confirmed at St.

Gabriel’s Roman Catholic Church in East Elmhurst, New York.

Robert attended Flushing High School in Queens, New York. Driven to

success in the challenging era of the 1950s, by the end of that decade he

had earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from New York

University along with the administrative and supervisory certification from

Brooklyn College with all but his dissertation completed for his doctoral

degree, so that he could embark on what would be a three-decade career

with the New York City Board (now Department) of Education. Most

importantly, he had married Lynette Elaine Smallwood.

Robert and Lynette, who married on May 30, 1959, had five children in the

sixteen years that followed: Damian, Deric, Durahn, Armia, and Dien. In

1967, they purchased a home in and moved to Cambria Heights and in the

ensuing decades became valued and contributing members of that

community. In 1997, they welcomed with joy their grandson, Bradly Austin

Taylor, the son of Deric and his wife, Julie.

Robert began his career in education as a music teacher. He also served

as an academic teacher and an Assistant Principal in various schools and

worked at the Board of Education in Brooklyn. Ultimately, in 1970, he was

appointed as the Principal of Public School (and later Community School)

155Q (now the Ronald H. Brown School) in South Ozone Park, New York.

In his decades of leadership of that school, Robert set standards of

excellence for both his students and his colleagues, always willing to be a

mentor to both groups. He was a living example of the word,

“responsibility.” Many a weekend and vacation time he would he go back

to the school to make sure that things were not just done, but done right

and with excellence. He was an example to both the school and to his

family of what responsibility entailed. There was no such thing as “It’s not

my job” when you were the person ultimately accountable for the outcome.

Excellence was something he expected of himself and of those around him.

Robert was an artistic person, a trait he expressed in many ways. He could

draw free-handed, mastering the ability to, as he put it, “draw what you

see.” He had a way with words, which he expressed in both his poetry and

his prose. He liked building things with his hands and he never shied away

from large projects, with much of his most memorable work done in the

wee hours of the night.

His favorite way of expressing art was through his music. “Bob” (a

nickname that many used for him) was a professional musician, proficient

in several instruments, and he particularly enjoyed playing and listening to

jazz guitar. He channeled his poetic talents through songwriting. He was a

co-founder and member, along with his wife, Lynette, of the small musical

group, “The Fireside Singers,” which was active in New York City during

the 1960s. Robert was also a gifted musical arranger, both professionally

and in his family life. He set up a music studio in his basement, and had

each of his children take different musical parts in private performances of

popular music standards. Robert felt music and reveled in the language of

music. He knew the different instruments and the unique gifts of those who

played them. He also knew how to arrange those instruments to make

music and how to nurture those who played those instruments into

musicians. His ability to see what each person could do, and incorporate

each part together into a harmonious whole, was a gift that Robert brought

to both his music and to his work outside the musical world. His art, mixed

well with his wonderful sense of humor, is a gift he continues to give to all

who remember him.

Robert retired from the Board of Education in 1991. In his retirement, he

enjoyed learning about and playing golf with his friends while he devoted

himself to some of the musical acquaintances of his earlier days. He gave

private music lessons to people in their homes. He arranged music and

traveled to perform by playing guitar professionally. He also became a part

of the fabric of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in The Bronx, New

York where he gave music lessons to members and where he joined the

men’s group--Redeemer LEGS (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in

Service), participating in many of the parish’s worship services, activities

and events. He also cared for those who were in need, attending to the

needs of senior adults who were his family members and friends alike.

After enduring various physical ailments for many years, Robert fell asleep

in Christ Jesus on September 7, 2018. Robert, “Daddy,” “Papi,” “Papa T.”

is eternally loved and remembered by his wife, Lynette; his children

Damian, Deric, Durahn, Armia, and Dien; his grandson Bradly; his childrenin-

love Sabrina, Julie, Robert, and Raquel; his sister Enid; his sister-in-law

Bettye; his nieces Crystal and Celeste; his great nieces and nephews

Melanie and James, Donovan and Jenn; his great-great niece and

nephews Cameron, Maurice John, Morgan, and Grace; many relatives who

love their “Uncle Robert” and “Uncle Bob;” and a host of friends, neighbors

and colleagues. And then there is grand-doggie Lily Blossom...they loved

each other very much even though Robert was very allergic to animals.

Grieving with hope, we look forward to being reunited with Robert on the

day of the resurrection of all flesh in Christ Jesus.