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.
DONATIONS
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church4360 Rev. Theodore Wittrock Crossing, Bronx, New York 10466-1804
Our Savior Lutheran Church22-15 Broadway, Fair Lawn, New Jersey 07410
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection420 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York 15530
St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church1 St. Pius Court, Plainview, New York 11803
Jazz Power Initiative5030 Broadway, New York, New York 10034
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