George Fredrick Taylor

GEORGE FREDRICK TAYLOR 1930-2022 George "Freddy" Taylor lived a long life filled with friends, family and travel. George was an adventurous traveler. He was not afraid to "pad out" sleeping on the Green Tortoise bus to Mexico or overnighting it on a train. Any train travel was good travel. Taking his annual train ride to Mexico was among his most beloved trips. He wasn't opposed to sitting pool side at a fancy resort (he loved to "sun himself" in his signature European speedo), but he much preferred to enjoy the journey, to see how the average guy lived in another country, and he always made a few new friends along the way. He often brought home people he had met on his travels to stay until they were ready for the next leg of their journey.. In the Navy, George was stationed in Hawaii. He loved exploring the islands and caught the bug to travel. George was a big dreamer, and he achieved a lot of them. He got his Masters degree from San Francisco State and met a clever, beautiful gal who he married and had a family with. He bought a house (and a few more), built his own A-frame cabin (with help and labor from his pool of family and friends). Later he got his real estate license and worked a second job at Rupert Taylor Real Estate where he enjoyed meeting new people and helping to connect them to home ownership. After retiring from Teaching this became his second career. He continued to travel whenever he could with whoever was up for an adventure. George loved a good party and kept a catalog in his head of his friends favorite drinks. He always welcomed anyone who dropped by to stay for dinner or horderves, and he was not shy about just dropping in on others unannounced. He was especially thoughtful about checking in on older people in his life and his relations. Traveling in his VW van during a year long sabbatical, he dropped in on many friends and family across the country. George loved learning, which is probably what attracted him to teaching. That and the summer vacations off to travel. For 30 years, he taught biology at McAteer High School in San Francisco and sciences at James Lick Jr. High. Having practiced his Spanish during his many trips to Mexico he was asked to teach ESL students which he really enjoyed. He encouraged students who wanted to pursue ROTC or military service. He also headed a ski club for students and took them to the family cabin. He loved sharing the sport and giving many students their first chance to see snow, visit the mountains, leave the city, and broaden their experience. George approached parenthood as both an educator, Navy trainer and optimist. He knew how to rally and guide his little troops. Lessons in science were to be found in cooking, picking fruit and making jam, visiting the beach, making house repairs or just about anywhere. He instilled in his children that they were capable and every member of the family could contribute no matter how small. He enjoyed celebrating birthdays, graduations, weddings, births, holidays or any celebration with family. On April 28th, at the age of 91, George succumbed to his many ailments and took off on his final journey. He leaves behind a legacy of optimism and a curiosity for people and the natural world. He was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia Viola, his brother Dean Taylor, and sister Okla Brosamer. He is survived by his children Deborah (& King) Omictin, Charles (& Peggy) Taylor, Sue (& Alfredo) Ramirez and Lisa (& Tony) Sarmiento. He leaves behind grandchildren Sophia, Marcus, Kinsey, Tim, Aaron, Dara, Brett, Dan, Brynn, Ann Sydney and Lynn, great grandchildren Nicole, Allyson and Eli, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 11:00 AM at New Bridges Presbyterian Church in Hayward, California. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the National Ataxia Foundation.