Lawrence Bennett "Larry" Taylor

10/14/1947 - 8/4/2022

Mystic - Lawrence Bennett Taylor, 74, of Mystic, died Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer. His family was by his side. He was born at Windham Hospital Oct. 14, 1947, to Philip E. and Margaret Taylor, nee Bronson.

Larry grew up in Storrs, where his father was a professor of economics at the University of Connecticut. He attended Mansfield public schools and went on to receive his degree from UConn. During the fifties and sixties, his father served as fiscal consultant to the governments of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Lebanon. This was under the auspices of the federal government and the Ford Foundation. When Larry was a teenager, he and his family had the opportunity to live in Beirut, Lebanon, on two separate occasions. Larry was always very grateful to have had the experience and spoke of it often. One fond memory he liked to share was of being able to swim in the Mediterranean Sea in the afternoon and ski at one of the resorts at night. Larry was a career State of Connecticut employee, as an IT manager. He was proud of his many accomplishments, in particular, working with the then Governor Ella T. Grasso administration, as he admired her greatly.

Larry was predeceased by his parents; and brother Philip B. Taylor. He leaves behind his two sons, Ian Lawrence Taylor, California, and Daniel Leslie Taylor; his daughter Riley Anne Howe; and his former wife Dawn M. Howe, both of Mystic. He also leaves cousins, Mary Bronson, Vermont, Howard Bronson (Cathy), Sarah Bronson (Galen La Gassey), Maine, Bruce Crocket (Diane) Washington, Gail Crocket Dick (Tim), California, Alan Crocket (Alice), Idaho, David Brooks, Dorothy Brooks Newberth (Rick), and Nancy Brooks Jackman, New York.

Larry will be greatly missed by his longtime friends and sailing buddies: Tom Desena, Bill Lucas, Ed Gubbins and Ed Calder. With each of them, he shared many adventures and misadventures. From too much Pusser's and missed launches on Block Island, to sailing along the East Coast and through the Chesapeake; multiple times making it to the Florida Keys; on one occasion, staying two weeks in the trailer park across from Schooner's Wharf; and on another, living for three months aboard a Beneteau. He will also be missed by many friends in Mystic, particularly those at the Mariner, and the "Southies" of Eastern Point, with whom he shared much time and many laughs. The last two months of his life were spent with Dawn and Riley. They cared for him during what we thought was his recovery from the last cancer treatment. The three of them were able to share life and love, and all the little things that entails - meals, laughter, and PBS, to name a few. He was able to attend his daughter's eighth grade promotion, see fireworks at a post-Fourth of July celebration with friends, and even get in one last trip to Modern Pizza.

Larry will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and fun-loving nature. He will be remembered for his love of family, especially his daughter Riley who was the light of his life. He was a good man and he fought a good fight.

His family would like to thank his doctors and nurses at Smilow Cancer Center.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Celebration of Life will be planned for the future.