Raymond Taylor Sr., 99, of Fair Haven, passed away Jan. 17, 2022. Ray was born June 24, 1922, in Long Branch; his family moved to Fair Haven in 1924.
Ray and his wife Elizabeth raised seven children in Fair Haven. They have 20 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Ray will be remembered for his many years of selfless public service to his country and to his hometown.
He served in the U.S. Army in World War II from 1942 to 1946 and he was stationed in Australia, New Guinea, New Britain, Guam, the Philippines, Japan and Alaska. In the 1950s, he was stationed in the Asian Pacific during the Korean War. During this tour of duty, he worked his way up to the rank of sergeant first class and received a distinguished service medal and a Korean War commemorative medal.
An announcement from the Fair Haven Borough Administrator, Theresa S. Casagrande, explained that Ray not only fought in World War II and the Korean War, but he also fought to overcome racism in his hometown, where as a boy he was not allowed to attend the borough’s Knollwood and Willow Street schools. Using his own gentile stride around town, with grace and wisdom to impart to everyone he met, he won over the hearts and minds of generations.
Ray was a beloved Fair Haven legend for as long as most anyone living in town can remember. His passing leaves a void in the community that will never be filled. Casagrande said borough is thankful Ray called Fair Haven home for nearly his entire life and that he treated his hometown with an ongoing loving reverence, which grew ever stronger over time. She offered condolences to Ray’s family on behalf of everyone in the borough.
Ray was predeceased by his brothers, William Taylor (Navie) and Kenneth Taylor (Elsie); and his grandsons, Raymond Taylor III and Corey J. Thomas.
Ray is survived by his wife Elizabeth Taylor of Fair Haven; his children, Sandra Taylor of Fair Haven, Jean Thomas (Rodney) of Neptune, Raymond Taylor Jr. (Bernadette Connolly), Edward W. Taylor (Sibyl), Ronald Taylor of Red Bank, Marc Taylor (Nina) and Tracey Taylor (Leslie) of Long Branch; and his grandson Gary R. He is also survived by grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, relatives and dear friends.
Visitation and a funeral service were held Jan. 24, 2022 at the Fisk Chapel A.M.E. Church in Fair Haven.
The article originally appeared in the January 27 – February 2, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
