THOMAS TAYLOR

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father and hero, Tom Taylor on Saturday, December 19th, 2015.  Tom was born in Yorkshire, England on May 24th, 1928, and his family immigrated to Hazenmore, SK, when he was just a year old.  At the age of 19, he moved to Moose Jaw where he attended Normal School to become a teacher.  He began his 35 year teaching career in a one room school house in Lake Alma, SK, where he met the love of his life, Joyce Torgunrud.  They were married on July 6th, 1950 and were blessed with three daughters.  His job eventually brought him to Moose Jaw where he taught at Bushell Park, Ross and Empire Schools until his retirement in 1982.  Tom was admired and respected by his colleagues and students.  Always young at heart, his greatest joy in life was his family, with whom he spent numerous hours.  Dad could always be found playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was an avid supporter and season ticket holder of the Moose Jaw Canucks and Warrior hockey teams, taking many of his grandchildren to the games with him.  Tom would never miss coffee with his old friends Wallace and Garry, and spent many hours volunteering with local charities and organizations.  Dad worked tirelessly in his yard where his flowers bloomed with great love, his lawn was kept flawlessly manicured and his hedge perfectly squared.  Whenever we needed something fixed, Dad was the first one there.  We all feel like we lost a piece of our hearts today but we know he is now with Mom where his heart has always been.  We will love and miss him forever.  He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce; his parents; two older brothers; son-in-law, Dan; and grandson-in-law, Ryan.  Tom is survived by his daughters: Linda (Dennis) Gebkenjans; Arlene (Bob) Passmore and Lorie (Rod) Heisler; grandchildren: Leah, Mike (Twila), Tom (Megan), Chris, Adam (Kerri), Marcie (Tyler), Dan (Sarah), Hannah and Jacob; great-grandchildren: Taylor, Bree, Brooklyn, Tanner, Zach, Abbi, Dylan, Adeena, Aerial, Rhett, Rogan, Austin, Mac, Addison and Grace.  The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 29th, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Reverend Wayne Andrie will officiate and interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s name may be made to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation 55 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 0C2.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550