Thomas Michael Taylor

Born in Mount Vernon, New York on August 26, 1945 to James Thom Taylor and Catherine Frances Flatley, Tom spent his childhood years in Woodlawn, the Bronx, where he enjoyed Van Cortland Park as his own private backyard. His high school years were spent in East Rockaway, Long Island where he proved to be an elite athlete in basketball and baseball. After graduating in 1963, he went on to try out for the newly formed New York Mets.

Tom enlisted in the United States Army and took the first flight of his life to Vietnam where he served as a radio operator during his 18-month tour. Upon his return, Tom earned his Bachelor's degree from Hofstra University before embarking on a long and successful career as a professor and administrator at Nassau Community College.

On June 14, 1968, Tom met Linda, his wife of 53 years, while she was out celebrating her 23rd birthday. Tom and Linda married at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on June 16, 1973 and went on to have two children, Laurie in 1975 and Ken in 1978, who they raised in the same town where their story began.

In 2016, once their children were grown, Tom and Linda made their move from Long Island to Naples, Florida, fulfilling a long-standing dream to enjoy the leisure of their retirement in the sunshine state. Since then, they have enjoyed ten years of sun, warmth, tennis and golf, making many dear friends and treasured memories along the way.

Tom is survived by his wife, Linda, his son, Ken, his daughter, Laurie, his son-in-law, Rahul, and his beloved grandchildren, Leila and Kiran.

Please join us to honor and celebrate Tom's life on February 19, 2026.

10:00am Funeral Mass at St. John's the Evangelist Catholic Church (625 111th Avenue, North Naples, Florida)

12:00pm Celebration of Life at Stonebridge Country Club (2100 Winding Oaks Way, Naples, Florida)

In lieu of flowers, we request that Tom's family and friends make a donation to Stony Brook Children's Hospital in Stony Brook, New York in his memory - https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/53732/donations/new?designation=coordinatedfetalcareprogramfund