Philip Michael Taylor

Beloved and loving husband of Anna. Loving father of Richard (Florence), Andrew (Hélène), Susan (Peter), Helen (Steve). Proud and indulgent grandfather of Mathilde, Thomas, Théo, Claire, Sophie, Alexander, Louise, Leonard, Victor, Edouard, William.

Philip was born in Nablus, Palestine on 11 October 1932. On finishing school at Prior Park in Bath in England, he served with the Royal Engineers, mainly in Egypt, between 1950-1952. He obtained his BA Hons French from London University in 1955. He married Anna on 4 February 1961.

Trained as a Chartered Accountant, he worked with Deloitte & Co from 1961 to 1964. He then joined Texaco UK in London and afterwards Texaco Europe in Brussels as Tax Coordinator. The family moved to Canada in 1980 when he transferred to Texaco Canada. When the company was sold in 1985 to Imperial Oil, he remained with the newly merged organisation and served as Corporate Tax Officer until his retirement in 1997. He was a long standing member of the Tax Executives Institute.

After his retirement, he embarked on his second career as a full-time volunteer with the St Vincent de Paul Society tirelessly visiting the elderly, sick and isolated. He readily accepted responsibilities: past member of the board of directors of Toronto Central Council, past president of Toronto North Particular Council and active member and past president of St Gabriel’s Parish Chapter. Also assisting St John’s XXIII Parish Chapter, he was active on various governance and finance committees. He was treasurer and board executive member of Vincent Paul Family Homes Corp – Gower Place which provides affordable housing to those in need.

He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed great success in his retirement years. In 2004, he achieved a top 10 ranking in singles in the over 70 category. He became Tennis Canada national doubles champion in 2008 in the over 75, a feat he repeated in 2014 in the over 80.

Philip loved music. He played the piano and the flute and was still singing in the choir of St Gabriel’s Church this past Christmas. He enjoyed hosting his family over the Christmas season organising the traditional cards, darts and table tennis tournaments.

A funeral mass will be held at St Gabriel’s Church (670 Sheppard Avenue E) at 11am on 27 January with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Vincent de Paul society or a children’s charity. Condolences – www.rskane.ca