Obituary of Henry Thornton Crozier (Cro) Taylor

TAYLOR, Henry Thornton Crozier (Cro) July 11, 1921 to April 20, 2003 St. Catharines, ON Cro lived as he died... a fighter. Whether he was in the ring in his Ridley College days, a fighter pilot in the RCAF 440 Squadron during WWII, battling his physical ailments or everything that life hurled his way, he had a strong determination to survive. He leaves this legacy of "grit", tempered with love and humour, to Mary, his wife of 60 years, his daughter Terry Mactaggart (husband Terry), son Tim (wife Kathy) and his five grandchildren: Jennifer (husband Colin Chant), Andrew and Jamie Mactaggart and Kate (partner Jay Reed) and Geoffrey Taylor. Most of his "important" lessons in life were learned from his two sisters: Barbara Shambleau and Di Shepherd (husband Doug), who still live in St. Catharines. Cro always had a twinkle in his eye. He learned his love of good humour on his father's knee and never found a moment that couldn't benefit from a laugh. In recent weeks, as the family despaired of the future, it was Cro who provided the strength and humour to cope with his death. People were Cro's life. He chose his passions by the people who espoused them and the challenge of their ideas. Throughout his life, he gathered about him wonderful people who nurtured his passions and grew with him. He was most committed to his family, proudly gathering and entertaining as many generations as possible, at every opportunity. His magic and his pranks were legendary. But he was just as passionate about his life's endeavors... his early years as fighter pilot, insurance executive, hotelier and later, as craft brewer, were matched by his dedication to Ridley and its rowing program, the United Way and the music of the Elora Festival. At age 80, he found a new passion... poetry. "Flights of Fancy" became an autobiography-in-verse, with some 70 poems capturing his memories from eight decades on. A verse from Friends is the essence: A friend is to follow A friend is to lead Make sure you do either Whenever there's need Anyone wishing to remember Cro with a donation is encouraged to support the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Palliative Care Service, Box 130, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0. Cro's friends and family are welcome to celebrate his life at a Memorial Service in the Ridley College Chapel, in St. Catharines, at 2:30pm, April 25, 2003. For further information, contact the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton St., (905)937-4444.