Maurice Clayton Taylor

Maurice Clayton Taylor

May 1, 1927 – October 29, 2022

On October 29, 2022, while listening to CDs of himself playing the piano, Maurice Clayton Taylor passed away peacefully to the strains of “What a Wonderful World” at the age of 95. It was an appropriate end to a life well lived. Maurice was a very kind and generous man who dedicated himself to bettering the lives of others and nurturing every community he lived in.

Maurice was born on May 1, 1927 in Borden, Saskatchewan. It was here that his parents and grandparents instilled in him many of his lifelong interests, such as music, art, gardening and cooking. Life was difficult growing up during the depression, and this helped shape his belief in the importance of community and people taking care of one another.

He met Georgina Morgan when she started working as a nurse at the Borden Hospital. They married on July 27, 1955 and throughout their 67 years of marriage they were always very supportive of each other. They started their married life in Eston, where Maurice was the Co-op manager. His career with the Co-op took them and their growing family through the communities of Demaine, Carrot River, Saskatoon, and finally to Tisdale in 1967, where they continued to live for the rest of their lives. In 1976 he opened Taylor’s Men’s Wear, which he owned and operated with his sons. He was a born salesman who during this time felt right at home in his store with a measuring tape around his neck.

Maurice was an exceptionally talented pianist, a gift which his grandparents, who had been classically trained in England, helped him to develop. He was also gifted with the ability to play by ear, and could play any song he heard after only hearing it once. This was a gift that he shared with others throughout his life, playing for weddings, funerals, church, concerts, social gatherings, and for dances during the war. He initiated, led and sang in a men’s choir in Tisdale, and at one time even managed to convince his sons and their friends to join a boy’s choir. This was quite a remarkable feat because they were boys who ordinarily would have been most comfortable playing hockey or baseball.

In his later years he began accompanying Ward Arnold, a much younger singer with whom he had a special musical bond. His family so appreciates Ward’s efforts to professionally record Maurice’s musical legacy. Maurice was a musician’s musician and it was astounding the wealth of musical brilliance that he had stored in his fingers. From Bach to the Beatles, he always added his own little spin. His musical talents were an integral part of every community he was part of, and he performed publicly for over 85 years — from when he was a young boy, right up to a month before his passing!

Maurice was a big believer in getting people working together to enhance the community. He volunteered tirelessly for the many organizations in which he was involved, quite often serving in leadership roles. He always felt very fortunate to be surrounded by others who were willing to listen to his suggestions and to offer their talents and time. Of his many accomplishments, highlights include serving as the mayor of Tisdale for 18 years, and his major role in the development of the Tisdale RECplex, one of the first multi-use facilities in the province. Maurice strongly believed that this multi use facility should include a performing arts theatre, and when it was, he was very honoured when it was later named after him. He was involved in every facet of town life, from officiating weddings, serving as coroner and justice of the peace, to playing the organ during hockey games.

Family and friends were very important to Maurice. He was a born listener and everyone knew that they could always count on him to lend a kind ear and offer sage wisdom. He would listen to them without judgement, and help them in any way that he could. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing him will miss his sense of humour and the warm and reassuring tone of his voice.

He loved visiting with people, always taking a keen interest in finding out how they were doing. He also enjoyed talking about current events and the books he read. He was very generous and loved sharing his music, produce from his garden, and his cooking. Anyone who was lucky enough to get one of his pies, butter tarts or shortbread cookies felt very loved. Maurice was truly one of a kind and his family feels so blessed to have had him in their lives for so long.

Maurice was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Phyllis Taylor, and his brother Murray (Winona). He is survived by his wife Georgina and by his five children; Nora (Rick) Potts and their children Graham, Ian and Brendan (Lauren); Joe (Suzanne) and their children Jennifer (Blake), Amanda (Nathan), Jeffery (Michelle) and Andrew (Brit); Mike (Tracy) and their children Jessica (Ian) and Matthew; Pat (Donaji); and Tim (Christine). He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date. If people so wish, donations may be made in memory of Maurice to the Tisdale Arts Council (Box 2203, Tisdale, SK, S0E 1T0, or e-Transfer to tisdaleartscouncil@gmail.com).