Reverend Dr. Walter Edmund Taylor

Taylor, Reverend Dr. Walter Edmund SARATOGA SPRINGS Reverend Doctor Walter Edmund Taylor passed away in the warm company of his family in Saratoga Springs on January 4, 2018. He was 93 years old. Walter was born on September 23, 1924, in Medford, Mass. Walter was an alumni of Boston University where he received an undergraduate degree, a master's degree in theology, and a master's degree in pastoral counseling. Walter also received a doctorate degree from Andover Newton Theological School in pastoral psychology. Walter lived a life of meaning and his impact was widespread to those around him. He served a 23 year tenure with the Voorheesville Methodist Church where he preached about love and compassion. His tenure was was followed by16 years as the director of The Albany United Methodist Society in Albany. Walter's work as a minister focused on aiding and assisting the lives of the underprivileged in difficult socioeconomic situations. He strongly believed it is important "to treat each human being with dignity, no exceptions." Walter was a life-long advocate for those less fortunate, serving as vice president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, as disaster chairman for the American Red Cross for over 20 years, and as a member of the Solidarity Committee. He served as the executive director for the Albany Methodist Society for over 15 years, a chaplain for the Rensselaer Youth Camp for over 20 Years, and a chaplain for Albany Medical Center for five years. His passion and love for serving those less fortunate was second only to his love for his family and his beloved wife Lucille Clark Taylor, whom he met in a lunch line at Boston University and was blissfully married to for over 66 years. Lucille predeceased Walter and his family finds solace that they are reunited and are dancing together once again. After a successful career as a minister, Walter and his wife Lucille retired to Cape Cod, where Walter enjoyed wood carving, watching the Boston Red Sox, fishing, playing softball with the Cape Cod Softball League and most of all, time with his three children and ten grandchildren. Walter and Lucille lived together at the Wesley Community until her death in 2012. In addition to his beloved wife Lucille Taylor; Walter was predeceased by his two brothers, Grayden Taylor and Phillip Taylor. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Walter is survived by his sister, Martha Headbloom of Pennsylvania; and his three children, Susan Sellers of Westchester, Pa., Robert Taylor (Barbara Taylor) of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Jo Anne Gabriels (Jeffrey Gabriels) of East Greenbush. Walter is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The family of Walter Taylor would like to thank the kind nurses of Hospice and Wesley Community. Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service to honor the life of Walter at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018, in the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue, at the corner of Henning Road in Saratoga Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Walter Taylor and Lucille Clark Taylor Award Fund, c/o Boston University Office of Gifts and Records, 595 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 700 West, Boston, MA, 02215. Arrangements are under the direction of William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.