David Mattocks "Dave" Taylor

David Mattocks “Dave” Taylor, age 78, of Middletown, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, May 2, 2025. Born in New Castle, PA on November 18, 1946, he was a son of the late David M. and Ellen (Tiernan) Taylor. Dave and his family moved to Dana, IN, and Niagara Falls, NY, before settling in Newark in 1958. He was a graduate of Christiana High School with the class of 1965, and continued his education at the University of Delaware, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Education. From 1969 until 1971, Dave proudly served in the United States Army in South Korea during the Vietnam War. He would later be activated stateside during Desert Storm in 1991, and served in the United States Army Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. During his time in the military, Dave received the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. Dave began his career in education with the Colonial School District at William Penn High School, New Castle, DE, in 1971 as a teacher. During his 35-year career, in addition to teaching, he worked as an associate principal and work study program coordinator, and coached football, baseball, and softball. He helped lead eight State Champion teams as an assistant football coach and was the head baseball coach for State Champion teams in 1977-1978. Dave was inducted to William Penn High School’s Hall of Fame in 2016. In 1975, Dave returned to the University of Delaware to earn his Master’s degree in education. He then attended Delaware Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1981. Dave later earned a Certificate in Equine Management from Cecil College in 2022. Along with his career in education, he enjoyed his work as an attorney in private practice, and later as the owner of D & B Racing Stable, a successful harness racing business established in 2022. A lifelong devout Catholic, Dave was a parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church in New Castle for nearly 50 years. He also served as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the church. Dave took great delight in traveling; his favorite trips were to Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, and historical sites in the United States. He loved visiting Delaware beaches, spending many enjoyable hours surf fishing, kayaking, metal detecting, catching crabs with the grandkids, and walking the boardwalks. Dave especially enjoyed attending bandstand concerts throughout the summer. In his spare time, he could often be found golfing, skiing, or watching his horses race at Dover Downs or Harrington harness racing tracks. Dave also completed many woodworking projects for his home and the family beach house. He could often be found cheering on his favorite Philadelphia and University of Delaware sports teams. In addition to his many hobbies, Dave served as president of the edU Federal Credit Union, was chair of the Delaware Pension Advisory Council, and was an active member of the Delaware Retired School Personnel Association (DRSPA). Dave waged an eight-year battle against Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and was greatly strengthened by his participation in the YMCA’s Livestrong program offered through the Middletown, DE YMCA. Dave is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Patricia Sweezy Taylor; children, Michael D. Taylor (Anette) of Fairfield, CT, and Joseph W. Taylor (April) of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Nathaniel, Henry, Gabriel, Emma, and William; brothers, William M. Taylor (Maria) of Newark and James R. Taylor (Dennis Coen) of Mechanicsville, VA; and nieces, Christina Linauts (Andris), Madeleine, and Caroline. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, 801 North Dupont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave’s memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, at the address listed above; or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 or online by clicking here; or to Warriors Helping Warriors, 104 South Broad Street, Middletown, DE 19709 or online by clicking here.

David Mattocks "Dave" Taylor

November 18, 1946 - May 2, 2025