Edward M. Taylor

November 4, 1917 – October 31, 2014 Edward M. Taylor, beloved father, age 96, of New Castle, DE, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2014, 4 days short of his 97th birthday. Born in Wilmington, Delaware on November 4, 1917, he was the youngest of 6 children born to the late Robert Taylor and Ruth Beese Taylor. Eddie grew up on the streets of Wilmington, played semi pro baseball with the Eastlake AA and DuPont teams and oftentimes rode the Wilson Line to watch the Phillies and Athletics. He attended Brown Technical High School and proudly enlisted in the US Navy, where he served 2 tours of duty between 1935 and 1945 aboard the USS Ranger CV4 and the USS Porter. Eddie met the love of his life, Frances Fran Proud at a USO dance and they married in 1941. The couple made their home in New Castle until Fran’s passing in October of 2009 after sharing 68 years of marriage. Some of their happiest times were spent dancing together to music of the Big Band era. Eddie was employed by the Colonial School District beginning in 1958, where he helped to open the George Read Jr. High School. He would later accept a position with the Brandywine School District, retiring in 1982 after many years of dedicated service. Additionally, he worked for the New Castle Methodist Church for 20 years. Eddie and Fran raised 2 daughters who cared for them in their home until their passing. They were amazing parents, and Eddie taught his girls to fish, ice skate, ride bikes, play baseball and drive. He spent his leisure time planting his flower and vegetable gardens. Most of his veggies were given to family and friends. He continued planting and tending his garden until July of this year. In addition to his parents, Eddie was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Fran, brothers, Wilfred Red Taylor, Robert Bob Taylor and Leslie Les Taylor, sisters, Ruth Holdway and Lillian Alford; sister-in-law, Margaret Paladnietti and brother-in-law, Leslie Bowen. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Coe and husband, Charles (Chuck) of San Benito, TX and Gale Taylor of New Castle, DE; grandson, Clifford Cross (Christina) of Conroe, TX; great granddaughters, Sarah and Madison Cross; grand dog, Molly; sister-in-law, Mary E. Bowen; brothers-in-law, William Proud and Rudolph Paladnietti; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday morning, November 7, 2014, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am and 11:30 am. Interment will follow in Glebe Cemetery, New Castle, DE. Flowers are greatly appreciated or memorial contributions may be sent to the Joseph B Stahl Memorial Post 30 Building Fund, 3 East Jackson Avenue, New Castle, DE 19720 or to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, Second Floor Newark, DE 19711, in memory of Edward and Frances Taylor.