Randolph F. Taylor

Randolph F. Taylor departed this life peacefully in his home with his wife by his side on Wednesday, June 23, at 8 a.m. at the age of 67, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. He was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Frederick and Helen Illes Taylor. He was a graduate of Austintown Fitch High School, class of 1960. He also attended Case Western Reserve and Youngstown State University.

He served his country with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as an aircraft armament repairman in Germany and Vietnam and was also in the Air Force Reserves.

He retired from the GM Fabricating Plant in 2004 after 30 years of hard work as a pipefitter. He was also owner/operator of South Range Computer Center in North Lima, Ohio in the 1990's.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Patricia Taylor, with whom he enjoyed 28 years of marriage. He will also be missed dearly by a daughter, Wendy Taylor of Phoenix, Arizona; a son, Eric Taylor of Raleigh, North Carolina; and a daughter, Colleen Condon (Sean Clem) of Chicago, Illinois. He will also be missed by his two sisters. Linda (Ralph) Bertanzetti of Columbiana and Liz (Fred) Markusic of Poland. He will also be fondly remembered by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eugene and Barbara Krystek and mother-in-law, Ann Condon, and sisters-in-law, Barb Lorenzini, and Christine (Larry) Roessler and brothers-in-law, Greg (Denise) Krystek, Mark (Kathy) Krystek and Eugene (Luraina) Krystek. He is also survived by one aunt, Irene Tocco, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death are his parents and many aunts and uncles.

Randy was a hard worker and always enjoyed doing something around the house such as woodworking and creating a nature preserve in his yard. He was an animal lover who adopted many retired racing greyhounds and dogs from Angels for Animals, giving them all a loving home. He will be greatly missed by his two faithful dogs, Max and Seamus, who spent many hours sleeping by his side during his illness. He enjoyed all types of music and attended many shows and concerts with his wife over the years. He also enjoyed traveling, especially the cruises he went on after his retirement from GM. Randy was also active in the local Republican Party working in the last two presidential elections. He also enjoyed driving his Miata or his "Lexus from Texas."

His family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Paul Watanakunakorn, Dr. Manmeet Ahluwalia and his nurse, Mary Murphy at the Taussig Cancer Center at the Cleveland Clinic. Randy's family is also very appreciative of the kindness and compassion shown to him by the Hospice of the Valley staff, especially his nurse Emma Miles. Randy was also thankful for the support he received from his family and friends, Ed Semararo, John 0'Connor and Tiffin Thomas-Best and the many acts of kindness he received during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can he made to Angels for Animals of Greenford. Ohio or Hospice of the Valley in Randy's memory.

It was Randy's wish to be cremated. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, June 28, 2010 at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana. Anyone is encouraged to share their stories or fond memories of Randy at this time. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Monday.