John F. Taylor III joined the Lord on 5 March, 2015 in the comfort of his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia at 66 years of age. John was born to parents John F. Taylor, Jr. and Nancy Titone in New Brunswick, NJ on 17 July, 1948.
After attending Saint Peters High School and Saint Francis College, John was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy in 1974. Following in the footsteps of his father’s duty on patrol torpedo boats during World War II, John proudly served for over 21 years as a Surface Warfare Officer before retiring as a Commander in August 1995 and passing his military legacy to his oldest son. After his naval service, John continued to support military efforts through his work in numerous weapons testing and evaluation agencies.
John’s greatest love and proudest accomplishment was his family. He is survived by the love of his life, Cheryl B Taylor, and brother Thomas Taylor. John is also survived by son John IV, his wife Tanya and grandchildren Sarah and Gabriel; son Joseph; son Anthony and grandchildren Elaina and Jax; and daughter Kristen, her husband Daniel and grandchildren Avery and Jacob. John was deeply loved by his family and will be profoundly missed.
In recent years, John became an avid gardener, and was able to devote more attention to spending time with his family, as well as his lifelong support of the New York Yankees & New York Giants. He gained an appreciation for the finer things in life, and enjoyed vacationing on cruise ships, aboard which both his son and daughter were married. John also had a fondness for his three dogs and the hundreds of Japanese Koi in his backyard pond.
The family will receive visitors on Saturday 14 March from 2-4 PM at Family Choice Funeral Home, 5401 Indian River Rd in Virginia Beach. Military Honors will be rendered by the US Navy at 3:30 PM. John’s remains will be scattered at sea by the US Navy in a formal ceremony in the near future.
A donation site has been established at http://m.gofund.me/o47q34.
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I sent this message to Kristen’s Facebook Messenger, but now that I see this option, I would like to post it here.
Hello Kristen,
You do not know me, but I had the privilege of serving under your father on the U.S.S. Virginia, CGN-38. I just heard about his passing tonight and I wanted to send my condolences.
I respected your dad for many reasons, but there is one circumstance in particular I would like to share. In 1987 I was towards the end of my enlistment, it was January and I had less than a year to go. I had some issues with alcohol abuse which were threatening my health and welfare. I needed help but felt very alone. Senior enlisted personnel as well as a very senior officer on the ship tried to block my receiving help, their logic was that I was getting out of the navy soon so why bother.
Your dad, being a true leader and a great man, stood up to all of them and interceded on my behalf. I will never forget sitting in his office as he assured me that I would be ok.
CDR Taylor managed to secure a bed for me at an inpatient rehabilitation facility where I spent two months, I was twenty one years old.
The last drink I had was January 12, 1987. I have lived a sober life, I have a successful career in law enforcement and I have raised two great boys.
I truly believe that your father saved my life. If not for him I do not believe that I would have survived my addiction. I have been credited with a few life saves over the years, none of which could have happened if CDR Taylor had not saved me.
He was one of the most decent men I have ever known, I never forgot him and I never will.
I hope that you and your family find peace in knowing that he has definitely earned his place in heaven and is forever at peace.
God Bless,
Bill Ransom
To the Taylor Family,
Our sincere condolences on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. His son John, has often spoken with such love and respect for his father. We sympathize with the pain that this sudden loss must bring. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Best regards,
Colette and Ed Kokron
To theTaylor Family … Debbie and I extend our sincerest condolences at the home going of John’s Father … We continue to pray for you, trusting God will give you comfort and grace during this time….God Bless, Ron
To the Taylor Family,
Edward and I are truly sorry about the passing of John your husband, father, “pop-pop” and brother.
It is always hard to lose a loved one, but know that he is at peace.
We are here for you, if you need us.
We love you.
Cynthia & Edward Odoms
To John and Tanya and family, you have our deepest condolences for the loss of your father. May you find comfort and cherish all the wonderful memories that you have. And may God”s blessings offer you strength during this time of sorrow. We send our love and sympathy.