Richard A. Taylor

quietly at the home he built in Lyme, Connecticut of natural causes a few days shy of his 64th

birthday.

Rick, as he was best known by his friends and family, was an avid outdoorsman. He

enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycling, skeet and being outside “doing things.” He was an

excellent marksman and firearms enthusiast who enjoyed all aspects of the sport. He was

particularly skilled at knowing how to fix or do anything: whether it was repairing gas stoves,

building houses, working with State and local governments, or conducting auto repair work, to

name just a few. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge that he willingly shared with everyone

he knew.

As a family man, he was a devoted father and husband who gave his best effort every

day. Among his many sayings, ditties and poems that he loved to recite, seemingly at random,

were “You do the best you can with what you've got,” and “You can lie to me, just don’t lie to

yourself!” Rick loved babies and small children – as a grandfather, he’d find ways to share his

hobbies and make every opportunity fun and interesting for the children. Some of our fondest

memories are of playing “Casino,” enjoying each other’s company, flounder fishing on Long

Island Sound, going for walks, and talking about all kinds of subjects.

Rick was a loyal friend whose genuine concern for the health and well being of others is

perhaps his greatest example and legacy. He was the “go to guy” when you needed help, but he

is perhaps best known for his work with Alcoholic Anonymous and the untold numbers of lives

he has touched as part of the program. Rick sponsored, encouraged, held accountable and

befriended many people who were lost or almost lost. His efforts were instrumental in helping

countless people get healthy and on the road to recovery. He valued each person as an individual

and didn’t care what their background, status or issues were. He gave freely of his time and

resources to help those who felt helpless, often bringing folks into his home as guests for a while.

Rick believed that people were more important than anything else in this life, and he spent his

energies epitomizing that belief.

Rick had a seemingly tireless work ethic and the ability to see the “big picture” without

getting mired down in details. When he decided that something needed to be done, he pursued

those goals until completed. He was gentle, easy going and iron willed – but always took time to

enjoy what was going on around him as well. He enjoyed life, he loved freely and sincerely, he

set the example of a loving, responsible and dedicated man. He was a “stand up” guy who knew

what he believed in and why.

Rick is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Cynthia Taylor of Lyme, CT, and his five

children: Tara (Matthew) Ferguson of Stafford, VA, Rachel Taylor of Cape Coral, FL, Jason

(Jocelyn) Taylor of Cape Coral, Trevor Taylor (Finance Megan Glennon) of Stafford, VA and

Deke Taylor of Worcester, MA. Sisters, Valerie (Lyn) Barker of Fountain Hills, AZ; Nancy

Bird of Syosett, NY; Christine (Will) Kelleher of Mastic Beach, NY; Janet Gerhauser of

Centerport, NY. In-laws Deke and Theo Cooksley of Lyme, CT; Kris & Jan Magnussen of Old

Lyme; David & Cyndy Cooksley of South Windsor, and Adam Cooksley of Old Lyme. He has

six grandchildren: Taylor, Alexander, Annika, Olivia, Lucas and Liam and numerous nieces and

nephews. In lieu of flowers, please help us honor Rick’s memory by “paying it forward” to

someone who needs a little help – that’s who Rick was and will remain in our memories. A

service in his honor will be held at the First Congretational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road,

Old Lyme, CT at 12 pm, June 8th, 2013.