Leonard Hartley Taylor

Taylor, Leonard Hartley 89 Jan. 28, 1926 May 10, 2015 Len passed peacefully in the early morning hours of May 10, 2015, at home with his loving wife, Sally, by his side. He was 89 years old. Born to Iona, an American citizen and David Taylor, a Canadian citizen, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Len took great pride in having dual citizenship. An only child at the age of 2, his family moved to Canada where Len spent his early years living in a tiny tin shack on a farm on the bald headed prairies near Vauxhall, Alberta. He excelled in music and baseball while attending a one-room schoolhouse. Soon tiring of farm life and holding dual citizenship, from 1947 to 1952, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was able to parlay that Naval duty into a 29-year career with the Department of Communications, Defence Research Board, Radar Research for the Canadian government in Ottawa, Ontario, tracking low flying military radar. He was a member of Kanata Golf Club and Curling Leagues. In 1979, he married Sally Ann Larson, a native Portlander. Together, they lived six years in Canada's capitol. In 1985, they moved to Portland where he became the beloved "handyman" to many Laurelhurst friends and neighbors for almost 30 years. Len leaves behind his wife, Sally; sister-in-law, Nellie McCarty of Portland; nieces and nephews, Mark and Muriel McCarty of Redmond, Wash., Molly McCarty of Willow, Alaska, Kyle McCarty of Portland and Kelsey McCarty of Portland; cousins, Betty, Sheryl, Karen and Eric; and the dearest of friends, Larry, Neville and Carl. Sally wishes to thank his extraordinary Portland Adventist caregiver, Brittany, the compassionate care of Portland Adventist Hospice and the outpouring love shown Len during his final months. "Nighty, nite dear Len Keep those bright blue eyes shining down upon me." In lieu of a service, a garden memorial will be held in the gardens of his Laurelhurst home in August. Donations may be made to the Oregon Humane Society, DoveLewis and the Humane Society of Southwestern Washington. Services by Zeller Chapel of the Roses.