Robert “Bob” Taylor died in the Lorraine Apartments fire on Dec. 15, 2007.
He was born in Iowa on June 16, 1937. Bob had lived in Gloucester for 30 years and in his apartment at the Lorraine for 24 years. During that time, he was the utility and maintenance man for the apartments.
At the time of his death, he was working for Trinity Congregational Church, where he worked for 10 years as a gardener and maintenance man. He also was working at a facility on Chestnut Street for Wellspring House as a maintenance man, and had been for five years. He had recently taken up sexton duties at First Baptist Church in Rockport. Additionally, Bob worked contract jobs throughout Cape Ann as a gardener, rug cleaner, and utility and maintenance man. Bob was a hard worker and took pleasure in doing a good job. He received many compliments for the high quality of his work. Bob also bought and sold antique glassware.
Bob’s consistent commitment for 33 years was to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He dedicated himself to the steps of AA and to the philosophies and principles of the organization. He call AA “my family.” Through the years, Bob sponsored many AA members, visited the Essex County House of Corrections in Middleton to speak for AA on a regular basis, was a frequent speaker at AA meetings around Cape Ann, and was a founding member of at least one AA meeting still functioning today.
Prior to his maintenance jobs, Bob had been an addictions counselor for NUVA in Gloucester.
Bob was a graduate of the University of Buffalo, N.Y., where he earned a bachelor of arts and a master’s degree in counseling. He spent several years working as a counselor in the outpatient clinic at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Buffalo. One year he was recognized as “Mental Health Worker of the Year” in Buffalo. Though his primary focus was addictions, Bob also counseled a range of mental health problems.
It was clear Bob used his counseling skills in his daily life. Throughout Cape Ann, he was known for his warmth, understanding, generosity and hard work.
In the Navy, Bob trained and served as a surgical assistant.
Bob loved fishing. He originally came to Gloucester to try his hand at commercial fishing, but was unable to secure a job. He was a gourmet cook and shared many meals with friends. He was also a golf and tennis enthusiast.
It can be said that Bob loved life in all its forms. He loved his fellow man as well as nature. He usually had a hug for other people instead of a handshake. He always said grace before his meals.
He was especially fond of his cat, King, who also perished in the fire.
Bob leaves behind a blood family the authorities have been unable to locate. He was predeceased by his longtime companion and girlfriend, Sylvia Gardner, only three months ago. Her daughters, Deborah O’Connor of Lexington, Ky., and Karen Panos of Austin, Texas, had become family and want to handle the burial, complicated by his untimely death in the fire.
He also leaves behind his “family” of Alcoholics Anonymous and many close friends, including Jim and Mary Rees, Jim Dinsmore, Sam and Luisa Cleaves, Ed Leavitt, Marilynn M. Grant, Barbara Jergensen, and Arlene Durkee.
A memorial service in his honor will be held at First Baptist Church in downtown Rockport on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m. (See story, Page A1.)
Burial services are incomplete at this time as his remains have not been released by the Massachusetts medical examiner. Donations to cover the costs of the memorial service may be made to First Baptist Church of Rockport.
