Alexander D. "Sandy" Taylor

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. Alexander "Sandy" D. Taylor, 76, of Willimantic, Conn., died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, in Windham Hospital. Taylor was the founder and co-director of Curbstone Press of Willimantic, and a leading light in the world of independent publishing. A teacher of English for more than 30 years, and a translator of Danish literature, his own poetry has been published in English, Danish, Bulgarian and Serbo-Croation. Sandy and his wife, Judith Ayer Doyle founded Curbstone Press in 1975, a non-profit literary publishing house focusing on works expressing a commitment to social awareness, human rights and peace. With an emphasis on contemporary writing from Latino, Latin American and Vietnamese cultures, the works produced by this small nonprofit publishing firm garnered an international reputation, founded, in the words of one of its authors, Luis Rodriguez, on giving voice to "writers that other publishers saw as too political, too risky, too experimental, too unknown - yet Curbstone never skimped on quality work. To writers, readers and his friends, Sandy was, as fellow poet Sam Hamel put it: "a workhorse for peace, for engaged poetry of nonviolence, for human dignity." Rodriguez recently wrote of his personal indebtedness to Sandy, whom he regarded as "a second father." "I know Sandy's generosity and caring extended to many other writers over many years, who felt his gentle but steady hand on their shoulders pushing them forward, investing and sacrificing so that voices like ours can be heard, appreciated, honored. No writer can ask for more ... Sandy lives on in the people he's touched, cajoled, rallied for and celebrated. He lived on in his own poetry ... He lives on in the wondrous ... small publishing world that he helped create - where the best of this country still values what matters, and against all odds and economic advice continues to make books that will outlive all of us." The Press has also built connections between authors and students through programs that brought writers into under-funded schools in the Windham area and across the United States to give readings, led poetry workshops and provided students with personal copies of Curbstone books - sometimes the first book they owned. Sandy's dynamic personality and sense of humor were infectious; everyone loved the man. One of Curbstone's most recent publications was "My Brothers' Madness," written by local author Paul Pines. Born in Rumford, Maine, to Austin and Anne Taylor in 1931, Sandy was raised in Glens Falls and graduated from Glens Falls high school in 1949. He received a B.A. in English literature from Skidmore College in 1953. He thereafter received both an M.A. and PhD in literature from the University of Connecticut. While working on his graduate degrees, he taught English at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, Conn., from 1958 to 1968. In 1965, Sandy received a Fulbright Fellowship to Denmark during the 1965-66 school years where he became fluent in Danish and established relationships with many Danish writers and editors. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Sandy was very active in both the anti-war and civil rights movements. From 1969 to 1990, Sandy taught English literature and creative writing at Eastern Connecticut State College (now ECSU). In additon to his wife, he is also survived by his brother, Alastair Taylor of San Jose, Calif.; his three children: Susan Taylor Pate and her husband, Michael, of Daytona Beach, Fla., Anni Taylor Stewart and Peter Alexander Taylor and his wife, Kathleen, all of Glens Falls; his five grandchildren: Julie Wardell of Lebanon, Conn., and Taylor Stewart, Christina Taylor, Alexander Taylor and Kelsey Taylor all of Glens Falls; his two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Zoe Wardell living in Lebanon, Conn. Sandy is also survived by his first wife, and mother of his children, Patricia Busher Yole of Hudson Falls, and his sister-in-law, Patricia Moriarty of Glens Falls. He was predeceased by his brother, David. A celebration of Sandy's remarkable life and accomplishments will be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Curbstone Press, 321 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT 06226.