Obituary of Gordon Cosmos TAYLOR

October 13, 1934 - Prince Albert, Saskatchewan    
April 13, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta      

Gordon Taylor of Calgary, Alberta, passed away after a short but aggressive illness on Tuesday April 13, 2021, at the age of 86. 

Gordon was born in Saskatchewan, but his family moved to Nanton, Alberta, when he was very young, and again to Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where his most memorable formative years were spent. Gordon had an exceptional academic record, graduating from St. Francis Xavier University, Summa Cum Laude, in 1955, and receiving his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1960. Gordon made many life-long friends during his university career. It was during his time at Princeton where he met his future wife, Ann (nee Hauser). 

Following university and newly married, Gordon joined the Geological Survey of Canada in Ottawa, moving to Calgary, Alberta in 1963, to join the GSC’s Institute of Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology. Gordon enjoyed a 32-year career with the GSC, spending many long summers in the field, mapping the geology of the northern Canadian Rocky Mountains. With the GSC, Gordon was part of the Petroleum Resources Appraisal Secretariat where he and his team assessed petroleum potential within Canada and for many international partners. 

Gordon’s passion for geology and the outdoors was reflected in the many family vacations spent camping in the Rocky Mountains, as well as the mountains and canyonlands of the American west. 

Gordon had many talents, including playing classical guitar. Gordon was an athlete in his youth, playing basketball and hockey in school. With a deep love for hockey, for many years Gordon served as a hockey referee for Calgary junior hockey games. Gordon also had a passion for golf and enjoyed many of his retirement years on the links. Gordon and Ann enjoyed their last few years as residents of the Manor Village at Varsity where they made many friends, rediscovering many social activities together and dominating the Bridge circuit.

Gordon will be lovingly remembered by his children, John and Coco Taylor, Andrew Taylor, Margaret (Peg) and Marc Lycan, and Barbara Taylor. He was grandfather to Sarah and Amelia Kulle.  Gordon is also survived by his twin brother, Douglas, and sister-in-law Helen Taylor, and their children Tony and Janet Taylor, Mark and Michele Taylor, and Valerie Taylor. Gordon also had a very close relationship with niece Deborah Ricketts and her husband Randy, nephew Michael Patmore and his wife Penny, and Michael’s children Sarah Patmore and Nathan Patmore; he also had a special friendship with his sister-in-law Francine Taylor Mazenko. Gordon was predeceased by his devoted wife of 60 years, Ann in 2020, and his brothers, William and Donald (Stuart).

A Private Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Calgary Meals on Wheels, 5759 80 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 4S6, Telephone: (403) 243-2834, www.mealsonwheels.com, or to a charity of the donor's choice.

In living memory of Gordon Taylor, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.