John was born and raised in Parrsboro into a seafaring family, the son of the late Allan B. Taylor and Dorothy McGuirk. As a young man, he spent much of his time on his father’s tug and coastal freighter and then sailed with Mersey Paper, Irving and the Canadian Hydrographic Service. He joined Marine Atlantic (then Canadian National) in 1964 where he spent the rest of his career. John began working as Captain on the Borden/Cape Tormentine routes, eventually moving to the Newfoundland/Nova Scotia routes in 1978. This was a profession he was dedicated to and very much enjoyed.
Besides his parents, John was predeceased by his sister Carol, brother-in-law Ian Mac Donald, and nephew Mark Mac Donald.
John is survived by Helen (Leishman), his spouse and constant companion of 62 years, as well as his son Allan (Patricia) of Coxheath, and daughters, Carolyn of Halifax and Katherine (Babak) of Marietta, Georgia. He will be dearly missed by his 4 grandchildren: Carolyn and Leah Taylor, and John and James Behzadi. John is also survived by brother in law, James Leishman of Dumfries, Scotland, as well several nieces and nephews from the Mac Donald and Leishman families.
John was a devoted father, grandfather, and outdoor enthusiast, owning several motorcycles, snowmobiles and sailboats. He had an interest in woodcarving, which developed into a passion in his retirement years. Some of his productions were sold and some will remain in the family for generations.
John was known for his love of both country and Irish music and he thoroughly enjoyed entertaining those who would listen to his recitals. He had a sharp sense of humor and loved talking with friends and family, qualities he kept up to his last days.
No visitation or service will be held, to honor his last wishes. Special thanks to the staff of Parkland Cape Breton, Harbourstone Enhanced Care, St. Ann’s Bay and the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, for their care and comfort extended to John in his later years, and recent hospital stay.
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