Leslie James Taylor

Taylor. He often told stories about working on the farm with his grandfather, Leslie and some of the adventures and misadventures of living on a farm in Aroostook County. There were tales of the temporary squabbles with his siblings, lessons learned from his grandfather, grandmother, father and mother. What became very clear to listeners of these stories was the love that the Taylor family had for each other. He carried that ability to love all of his life. He was well known for his generosity, kindness and loving nature.

He had three beautiful and talented children, Joshua Taylor, Shannon Davis and Ashley Baker. He considered them to be his finest achievement. He adored them and kept in very close contact with them, sometimes calling at 3 am. They blessed him with eight grandchildren. He was grateful for the joy of grand parenthood.

Before he moved away from the Presque Isle area, he earned a B.S. Degree in Psychology and worked for several companies, utilizing the skills he had acquired. When he worked at a wood working shop with disabled persons, he discovered his love for encouraging and supporting disabled persons to live their best lives.

He moved to the Portland area in 1985 still doing wood working but soon rediscovered the enjoyment he received from working with the disabled. During his working career, he worked in many positions and became a Certified Behavioral Specialist. He was humble, non-judgmental, and kind. He specialized in working with people with challenging behaviors and had the ability to see through the behavioral screen to the root of the frustration. His empathy and kindness brought out their best qualities. He worked as the Resident Care Director of Dolley Farm Assisted Living Home and found joy in working with the elderly.

During his time in Portland, he forged many friendships. His loving, generous and charismatic nature drew many good friends to him. He was easy to love and he loved in return with everything he had.

In 1999, he met Jane Kastanowski and in July of 2002, he married her in a spiritual

Ceremony under the old maple tree in his front yard. In addition to gaining a wife, he also became a great stepfather to K.C. Clark, Laurie Othenburg, Elizabeth Zeh and Tammy Rodano. Four step grandchildren gave him four more people to love in his life, and he did.

Loved by so many for his big heart, he may be gone but the love remains.

The family will hold a graveside service for him in the Spring of 2021 at Marshall Cemetery in Westfield, Maine.