John Taylor's funeral, Tuesday 16 August 2005
John Taylor's funeral will be held on Tuesday 16 August 2005.Details are:
10:30am Alexandra Shire Hall
11:30am Celebration of John's life afterwards at the Mt Pleasant Hotel Alexandra.
Helen would prefer a donation to Alexandra & District Hospital rather than flowers. Envelopes will be available at the funeral.
Click on COMMENTS below to read the many comments from John's family and friends. Feel free to add your own.
posted by Peter Campbell at 9:11 PM
20 Comments:
Peter Rice, Alexandra District
Country Fire Authority Group Officer. says:
John was Captain of the Acheron Rural Fire Brigade until he had to resign due to illness late in 2004.
He had been a member at Acheron since 1986. He was also a member of the Alexandra UFB for a short period.
It was very sad to hear of John`s illness when he phoned me last year
and his decision to immediatedly
resign for the sake of his health.
When I saw him in hospital last week he was in good spirits
and fighting valiantly.
All district firefighters were
extremely saddened when we heard
the news two days ago.
Our sympathy to Helen,Laura & Emma
and all the family.
John made a huge contribution to the Acheron Fire Brigade, the Group
in general and the community
as a whole.
He will sorely be missed.
Fire Brigade Honours will be included in the service at the
Shire Hall on Tuesday at 1030 hrs. District firefighters are requested to wear uniform or
firefighting overalls for the Guard of Honour after the service.
John was one of the most active, practical and down-to-earth people you could imagine. From bushwalking and other outdoor activities in the early LMC days, to running a farm and teaching full time, John was a contributor - and always with a sense of humour.
As recently as last year, he was colaberating on running an innovative flying class at school.
Helen, Emma and Laura - thinking especially of you at this difficult time.
JD, as I like to refer to him, is my big brother and I also find it hard to believe he has gone.My life followed quite a different path from that of my brother, but there were aspects of our lives that drew us together. He was always there for advice on computers, cars or investments and he would call me for advice on health and family matters and would often stay the night at our place when he was in town. Our daughters have a unique bond which is very special.
He lived a life of adventure and was a pioneer for the eight siblings that followed. Although I never pursued any of the rugged outdoor activities he choose I was in awe of his courage and motivation to explore the unknown.
JD's illness drew him closer to us, he and Helen and the girls stayed with us on the occasions it was required to be closer to Peter Mac.As I watched the disease progress I realised he was on his scariest and loneliest journey ever, I could see his many stumbles but was powerless to help.
My 26 years of nursing was rewarded by having the privilege of being able to be with him for his final 12 hours and to care for him with love and compassion not only as a nurse but as a sister who was at loss to know how else to help him.
My heart aches and my thoughts and prayers are with Helen Emma and Laura.
I remember John fondly from our days together at Latrobe Uni Mountaineering Club and later as our paths slowly went in different directions.
John always seemed to me to be a rock - very solid about everything he got involved in. But a rock with a mischievious side- John was always the one with a good joke and a witty comment.
Like others I remember many of the great trips we enjoyed together into nature's wonderland. We all shared a special sense of being when we were in those isloated places, reliant upon each other but so insignificant amongst nature and its forces.
John was always sensitive to nature's forces whether they were gravity, the wind or the snow.
He will be sadly missed.
Recently I too discovered some old shots and scanned them into a collage. I will forward these to Peter C for possible display at the pub and the celebration.
"It's a bloody tragedy", one of his friends said recently about John's illness and imminent death. Who could disagree with that. It is indeed difficult to see anything redeeming about John's awful suffering and death. But I believe there is at least one thing we can take from this tragedy.
There was a childlike simplicity about John, a guilelessness, which was hard not to like. Just about a week before he died, after a constant stream of visitors to the Alex hospital and the assurance from Helen that his funeral was going to be huge, he made a remark that typified that childlike simplicity. He said, "I didn't know so many people cared."
John had drawn so much love from us all that he was overwhelmed by it, hence that simple remark, I didn't know so many people cared.It seems that often it takes that kind of tragic circumstance to draw that love from us. And that is the only thing that I can find redeeming in this. That if John's suffering and death can draw from us all greater love and compassion for each other, then it will not have been a meaningless, bloody tragedy.
A sad and tragic event for all. Although we hadn't seen much of each other in the last thirty years we were as close as any family can be. I have many great memories of growing up with Damian(as I still called him)from him tending his ferrets and guinea pigs at our home in Eltham to my first climbing trip in the early seventies. I looked back and laugh as he and Joe Milesi teased me as I struggled up a climb at Sugarloaf and refused to go up until Joe stopped singing. Although I never told him John had a siginifacnt impact on my life from the career path I chose and the many other pursuits I enjoy.
My family - Kathy, Jessica, Matt, Xander and Sam have been saddened by the loss of John, but have fond memories of the times together at Alex, Wagga or Toowoomba. Who can forget John's face on Xmas eve when Kathy put flour on the the front step, cut a potato to make reindeer footprints, and the smile of his face in the morning as Emma and Laura jumped with excitment when they thought Santa had been.
John gave a speech to toast my parents at my wedding, one line out of his tribute 'the door is always open and the fridge is always full' it clearly defined the openness of my parents to friends and family. I think the same could be said about the Godfrey-Taylor household.
We are looking forward to celebrating his life with Helen, Emma and Laura on Tuesday.
I'll miss my brother John.
I am number 6 in the Taylor clan and suffer quietly the hardships associated such a position. John, JD or Damian, they are all interchangeable and he generally answered to all three, was the first born.
I don't think he wanted to rule the world but he certainly broke out from the norm. I was in awe of his adventurous spirit, the snow climbing, the bushwalks in remote parts of Tassie and his physicallity (Sorry about the cliche). I remember whilst recovering from a broken leg he had me driving the tractor on the farm whilst he lifted and stacked the haybales on the trailer by himself, seemingly tirelessly.
He was more than a just big brother to me and I have fantastic memories of him taking me rockclimbing with his Uni mates and for many years it was an Easter tradition to head up to Arapiles.
For the past 20 years I have been interstate but always looked forward to sharing Xmas lunch with the family. John could talk with authority on a variety of subjects and often did. This was interesting because he was never one to call you up on the phone for a social chat. But if I called him I could put the phone down and make a cup of tea whilst he chatted about the lastest phone, camera, gizmo or flight that he had been on.
He was passionate about everything he did despite not believing so himself. I can't imagine what else he might have done if he had a bit more self belief but I guess we all suffer a bit from that syndrome.
I am overcome by waves of sadness when I think of how he has suffered in recent times and the injustice of it all. He lived a truly full life that anyone should aspire to and I hope he is flying free.
Helen,Emma and Laura our hearts go out to you.
Rest in Peace John
Love
Chris+Margie, Chloe and Gemma.
It was with great regret to hear about John Taylor's death. It was equally a great shock to hear of his illness last year. Still quite young and lots to look forwrd to in life. I'm sure John had lots of plans. John was a great friend and companion when we shared digs at Barnes Way in our Uni days. There are many great memories, including trips to remote parts of Tassie and a couple of 24 hour walks, including an Intervarsity in the Barossa Valley and ensuing trip to the Flinders , popular with everyone he came into contact. He had a big heart, a generous nature and an adventurous spirit.
Condolences from Rob and Helen Edmonds
I have been closer to John since his illness than at any other time,and mourn his loss deeply. We have been working on the eulogy and trying to distil the essence that is John.
Hard working, practical, grumpy, top bloke, committed, stable ,family man,outdoor type,joker, dependable, patient, animal lover and at times painfully blunt.I loved him for all that.Anne Woodward sister
Very sorry to hear this news. I guess the only consolation is that John is now at peace. Apologies that I will not be able to attend the funeral, as I am leaving for the UK tomorrow.
If it's possible to be light-hearted at this time, then I'd have to remember the occasion that he rubbed his eyes after cooking with chilli on the South Coast of Tasmania during a Precipitous Bluff walk, and watching him writhe in agony on the ground as people came to his aid with the little amount of water that they had in their water bottles. He wasn't the most competent camp-fire cook, but he was always great company.
Condolences to Helen and the kids.
Richard Morris.
Ivy Woodward
Although 12,000 miles away the tragic news of Johns passing is very hard to accept. His suffering is now over, my thoughts are with his family at this tragic time.
Ivy Uk
It came as sudden shock to learn of the tragic loss of Damien (JD,John)Taylor. I only found out by chance and I was totally hit for six.
I've known Damien since 1995, I married his youngest sister in 1996, and in that time I remember him as a jovial man with a note of authority. He seemed to be an expert on a wide variety of topics and had all the time in the world for a chat.I especially remember the farm with the mud brick house that Damien built with blood, sweat and tears and his menagerie of animals, his home was always open to all.
Saddly he leaves behind a wonderful wife Helen Godfrey and his two girls Emma and Laura, not to mention his wide and extensive family.
My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Damien you have lived a short but fully packed life and it seems unjust that you should be taken from this world by such an insidious disease.
I lost my mother a couple a years ago to this disease and I can fully sympathise to the family's loss.
Damien fly high and soar above the mountain peaks, you are finally at peace in God's care.
You were one of my favourites Damien.
My prayers are with all at this sad time. Apologies I cannot attend the funeral.
Your friend Andrew.
John literally 'flew' into our lives for just one short year during his teaching exchange in Canada about five years ago.
Prior to leaving Oz he and I ,as president of the local flying club here in St,Thomas ,Ontario, were in contact and he had already agreed to be the guest speaker at the first meeting of our club year before meeting any of us. He entertained us with his thorough presentation of a recent flight he and several friends had made into the intererior of Australia.His passion for his hobby was obvious , his wit quickly became evident and before the evening was over ,he was "one of us"
During the rest of the year he participated in every single event we held ,from campovers to cook outs.He flew young kids on our 'Young Eagles'day,participated in our annual air rally despite not having a clue as to where he was going,brought Helen and the kids with our group on an overnight to see the brilliant Ontario fall colours and nearby Wolf refuge. It was on this trip than John engineered the plan which allowed us to fit eight people in a rented four seat Oldsmobile Alero.
John also was proficient enough as a pilot to fly as our inside right wingman at our annual Nov 11th fly past in honour of the war veterans. We always fly a missing man formation,which this year will have a little more significance as the missing man will be one of our own.
In all likelyhood we would never have met again, but it was nice to have a long distance casual friendship to up date the other side of the world on our local activities and to follow the course of the crops,the cattle,the aviation programs and of course his ladies.
John was agood friend,obviously a good man and we will miss him.
John was my friend for 33 years. Over those years, John became part of the underlying fabric of my life that has moved along with me through time. As the chapters of my life have opened and closed along the way, John has always been there. We shared many adventures together and I always figured we would share many more together even into old age. I have never imagined life without him. I always took it for granted that we would still be doing the odd bushwalk or two, together with some of the ‘gang’, perhaps into our seventies and reminiscing over old times around a campfire or over a beer in a pub on a Sunday evening. But sadly that will never be.
I remember well, John’s 21st birthday at Avenue Athol and my 22nd Birthday with John and others at Mt. Tongararo Chalet in New Zealand. Recently he was best man and MC at my wedding. We met initially through the Latrobe University Mountaineering Club and since then have shared so many adventures and experiences that it is almost impossible for me to remember them all.
John frequently stayed at my place after conferences and in-service activities in Melbourne. I’ll miss the hours spent chatting in the back room after dinner over a wine or beer, talking about our common interests in science, technology, flying and computers and the outdoors.
I got to know John as one of the most approachable, affable and kind-hearted guys you could ever meet. I’m sure so many other people found him to be precisely that. I also got to know him as a very direct person, occasionally blunt (with no offence ever taken)… a no-nonsense, no fuss sort of guy, a really down-to earth pragmatic type. He got a little gruff sometimes if people fussed. One thing I noticed about John was that he never beat about the bush, got straight to the point and got on with the job. John always knew where he wanted to go and what he wanted to achieve and always worked hard to complete whatever task he tackled. I admired him greatly for those characteristics.
When I reflect upon how much John did and what he achieved in his 52 years of life and how much he contributed to his community and the lives of his family and friends I’m truly staggered. To bring a 130 acre farm up to scratch, build a very large mud-brick house virtually from the ground up, all while raising a family and largely working full time and still finding time for bushwalks, some skiing, innumerable outback plane trips, overseas travel, tending the cattle, fixing the dams, maintaining fences, furniture making and taking his family abroad for a year on exchange teaching. As well as always learning something new and constantly upgrading skills and qualifications with computers, and extending the ratings on his commercial pilot’s licence to instructor level. He always had time for others too and the community. At university, he was involved with the Mountaineering Club committee, at one time being president of the club. Additionally, he also frequently organised and led club trips. During uni days and for a while thereafter, John was an active member of the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs search and rescue section and later captain of the Acheron Rural Fire Brigade. He was involved with Rotary and also the School council in Alexandra.
I have so many fond memories of being on numerous trips with John up Mt. Feathertop and Mt. Bogong during both winter and summer, mountaineering in NZ, the countless trips to Mt. Arapiles for rock-climbing, inter-varsity canoeing competitions, caving, snowy-river rafting. Weekends and holidays spent snow-camping and cross-country skiing, the countless bushwalks in other parts of the alpine country and the Grampians, flying trips to the outback and flying to the centenary of the Birdsville races.
There were three bushwalks of truly epic proportions in Tasmania. In the mid seventies, there was an eight day winter walk through Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National park, complete with snow, frozen bogs, waist-deep mud and lots of leeches. On another Tassie trip, a hike in to climb Tasmania’s spectacular Federation Peak and then a four day walk out, through near impenetrable bush, camping in mosquito and leech infested swamps with floorless tents that had no insect mesh on the doors. Much later, in 1996, eight of us got together for a ten day trip to Tassie’s Precipitous Bluff. The four-day walk into PB was done largely in appalling and trying weather conditions, with water flowing through some tents at one campsite. We had a break in the weather on top for day five but things got worse again as we spent the next 5 days hiking out along the South Coast Track in what was reported in the news as the worst storm to hit southern Tasmania in 100 years. This involved a seven kilometre walk in a murky lagoon, rising floodwaters that forced relocation of our campsite late one evening and then days spent crossing flooded rivers and days spent exhaustingly scrambling through mud and over mass after mass of tangled, soggy vegetation and piles of logs that had been brought down on the track by massive eucalypts felled by the storm. One feature of all these trips was John’s camaraderie and ability to always see the humorous side of situations, even when people were a bit stressed and things looked a bit grim. He had a cheery side that always shone through in the face of adversity and lifted people’s spirits. He was a great companion to have in the bush and one thing I’ll always remember about John was the unique, enthusiastic and lively manner in which he regularly recalled some exciting and sometimes character-building moments from those trips.
In 1980, I spent the better part of a year with John, travelling around Europe, skiing in Norway and climbing mountains in Switzerland and France, before John headed off for some trekking in Nepal. We climbed many notable mountains together, including West Europe’s highest peak, Mt. Blanc and the famous Matterhorn. In one four day period we also climbed four of the five highest peaks in the Bernese Alps. When we climbed Mt. Blanc, we were two of only 13 people that made it to the summit that day out of more than 200 that made the attempt. I remember sitting on top with John and watching the sun rise over the Matterhorn.
One of the most memorable incidents from that period of climbing with John was our climb on the Matterhorn itself. We left at the 3am in the morning and reached the summit about mid-day. While we were near the top a Spanish climber was severely injured and we assisted with attracting a helicopter and his subsequent evacuation from the mountain. However, the delay made retreat from the mountain rather late for us and as the sun set on our descent we cursed the fact that my head torch had been broken on the ascent and eventually all the batteries had given up in John’s. We had virtually no bivvy gear with us and were light on for clothing. Eventually it became too dangerous to continue and we were forced to bivvy for the night on the tiniest of ledges very high up on the mountain.
Spending that night on the ledge was another one of those real character-building moments I shared with John that I will never forget… especially after we discovered John hadn’t brought his bivvy sac with him and my bright red one had been put in the helicopter after we had used it as a wind sock to attract the chopper pilot’s attention and then to wrap the injured patient. We spent the night in harnesses attached to the face of the mountain, tucked into our rucksacks, sitting on the ledge, no food, little water, looking out across a dark void, at lights from the villages below and the clear starry sky above. It was difficult to sleep because just leaning against the rock sent spears of cold into our bodies through our inadequate clothing and parkas. Every now and again we could hear the clang and ping of rocks falling from the mountain in the still night air. It was again John’s humour and trying to make light of the situation that made that night so memorable. I remember us both screaming out, partly to break the boredom and partly to keep warm. We took it in turns to yell “Its frigging cold!” and other similar phrases as loud as we could and listened for the echoes off the mountain face and its ridges. I remember we were both happy when we spotted some clouds in the sky at about 4:00am and I willed them to come our way and hoped they would slow the earths radiated heat loss. They came, but it got colder and by 6:00am it was snowing. When we got going at first light at 7:00am the rock and ice was covered by a treacherous dusting of slippery fresh snow, but at least we could see what we were doing and where we were going. I remember John ‘thanking’ me ‘very much’ in a gruff but half humorous tone for my efforts in willing the clouds our way. However, by 10:30am we were firmly ensconced in Hoernli Hut at the bottom of the ridge, and I’m sure John agreed with me until his dying day, that the cups of hot chocolate that we had there at that hut, were the best we ever had anywhere in the world.
My recent marriage was a major turning point in my life and just 20 days ago here in Osaka, Japan, my wife Yoshimi gave birth to a son, Dan. John was thrilled to hear the news of Yoshimi’s pregnancy, though at the time, he was just starting to come to grips with the initial diagnosis of his illness. I’m sad that John will never get to meet Dan, but I’ll make sure that Dan gets to know who John was and what a very special, very dear, very solid and trusted friend he was.
For John’s parents, Aelred and Rene, I have a special message:
Thankyou for bringing John into our lives. The fine and upstanding man he was and the significant way in which he enriched the lives of so many others is no doubt a great credit to you both. He really did make a difference and touched so many people’s lives in a positive way. John was a very decent and very honourable chap who lived his life to the fullest. My deepest sympathies to you both on his passing.
To Helen, Emma & Laura and all the other members of John’s family I also extend my deepest sympathy during a time I know must be terribly difficult for you.
At a personal level, I won’t dwell on the sadness of John’s passing, though I will miss him greatly. I’m grateful that his suffering is over. I will cherish forever, memories of him and the great times we had together.
John was the best man at my wedding and is still the best man.
Remember the man and not his passing.
Thank you mate for all those good times and your wonderful company.
Happy trails John ...
It has been hard for Hilary being so far away during these past months and we are so sorry that we cannot be there with the rest of the family tomorrow.
We will always remember the Christmas that John Damian, Helen and the girls spent with us in a very cold Gillingham. It was certainly a full house but a very happy time.
Our hearts go out to Helen, Emma, Laura and all of JD's family and friends. We hope Tuesday is a true celebration of his life and will be thinking of you all at this time.
Hilary, Tim, Michael and Sophie.
It has been hard for Hilary being so far away during these past months and we are so sorry that we cannot be there with the rest of the family tomorrow.
We will always remember the Christmas that John Damian, Helen and the girls spent with us in a very cold Gillingham. It was certainly a full house but a very happy time.
Our hearts go out to Helen, Emma, Laura and all of JD's family and friends. We hope Tuesday is a true celebration of his life and will be thinking of you all at this time.
Hilary, Tim, Michael and Sophie.
Such a sad loss. John And Pam From England remember John with great affection. We remember our trip to Alexandria and all the open hearted hospitality when we visited John Hand family.Our thoghts are with the family at this sad time.
John was my husband and my friend. He was never sentimental or demonstrative but was always there when you needed him. I saw him as big, strong, and dependable, although he would point out he wasn't quite 6' tall. I liked his mind and his quick wit.
We have had a full life together. We have two beautiful daughters and have built a great home and farm. We have had adventures together climbing, bushwalking, skiing, building, flying, parenting and travelling. All the things I wanted in life. He even tolerated the "bloody horses".
I feel robbed as I wanted to grow old with this grumpy bugger as behind the veneer was a very caring person. I love him very much and will miss him for ever.
Even though we were related (distant cousins of the ever increasing Taylor/Cheetham/ Lees clan) we never met or knew John. With the age of modern technology particularly e-mail Aelred and Irene contacted us knowing we now reside in Perth W.A after emigrating from UK in 2000, and we got to know a small part of what appears to be a very huge very loving family.Just reading this website in memory of John captured his spirit and `Mum `your comment about the last hug reduced me to tears, having that opportunity to say goodbye must have been very special.
Our sincere condolences to all the family,
With Love,
Christine, Stephen, Danielle and Paul Carrington W.A ( nee Lees)
Catherine Taylor
l am the ninth and the baby og the Taylor gang.l have alway called my brother Damian most would know as john.
Damain wasn't around much when l was growing up but niether was Anne. l always remeber him coming through the front door at christmas time,that will be one of many memories.
l can almost remeber when Damian and Helen built their mud brick house as though it was yesterday. l also helped out but not in the brick making.
Another memory is Damian sitting in his chair with a stubbie of vb
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