William John Taaffe

PENN YAN - William John Taaffe died unexpectedly in his home on December 25, 2013, at the age of 59.
A celebration of his life was held on December 28, 2013, at Lakeside Country Club, Penn Yan, N.Y. Donations in his memory may be made to Yates Community Endowment, Willie Taaffe Memorial Fund C/O Lyons National Bank, 205 Liberty Street, Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527.
Taaffe had a keen sense of family and was fiercely dedicated to his. Beyond that, he was a brilliant business professional with a passion to serve the community he loved. Throughout his working life, Taaffe held leadership positions. His career highlights included key roles with Iron Age, Triad System, Knapp Shoes, Capital Aviation, Seneca Flight Operations and the local Industrial Development Agency. More recently he was CEO of Taaffe Management Consulting. Taaffe devoted his energies to job creation in Penn Yan with his work at the local Industrial Development Agency which his vision helped form. He was a moving force in the architecture and implementation of Lakeside Country Club's back nine. He was instrumental in the expansion of the Penn Yan airport facilities to enhance the local business climate and he was active in efforts for downtown redevelopment. He helped initiate the Yates Community Center, now nearing fruition. Taaffe served for many years on the board of directors of Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in Penn Yan, and, more recently, he was co-chair of the Yates Community Endowment Development Committee. He served his community with humility and generosity and enhanced the lives of all who call Penn Yan their home. Taaffe, known universally to his family, friends and the community as "Willie," had a rare quality of developing and nurturing long term friendships. His many "best" friends were blessed by his being their stellar advocate, coach, mentor and motivator - all seasoned with his gift of humor. Willie was a student of human behavior and had the rare ability to focus on complex issues. He listened with deep understanding, asked probing questions and then provided just the right combination of humor and wisdom. Taffy had wide ranging interests. He was a lifelong golfer who focused on the sports his last summer. His newly improved game reminded some of the 16-year-old Willie who won a club championship. He enjoyed painting and his works hang proudly in the homes of friends and family. He loved music and his guitars that made it. Most of all, he was a man of enormous spirituality who read avidly to help understand life's meaning. As he encountered the beauty of a golf course on a sunny day, a view of Keuka Lake from the hilltop, or a remote ocean shore in his travels, he felt as if he was within a splendid cathedral under a blue dome.
He is survived by his beloved son, Braegar, a student at Keuka College and a part-time employee of the Switzerland Inn on Keuka Lake. Taaffe was a loving father who showered his son with wisdom, praise and pride. Braegar is also the son of Cindy Skovrinski of Penn Yan, Taaffe's former wife of 18 years. Additionally, Taaffe is survived by his two adoring sisters, Patricia Taaffe Kendall of Trumansburg, NY and Valerie Taaffe Held of Westport, Conn., and his treasured cousin Michael Monahan of Penn Yan. He was loved by and an enthusiastic advocate for his nephew, Andy, and nieces, Allison, Jenna and Elizabeth.