Rae Charles Alexander Taylor passed away on July 21, 2019.

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Early life for Rae was spent surrounded by family and friends at Westhall and later Elgin, Manitoba. His dad moved the family to Elgin so that his sister Margaret could attend high school.  Prior to that the family farmed the land his grandfather had homesteaded in the Westhall district.

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He was predeceased by both of his parents Frank and Dorothy (née Curle) Taylor and his sister Margaret Stonehouse. He is survived by his wife Sylvia Taylor, niece Shawna Lawson and husband Art, nephew Derek, his wife Kim and their three sons Taylor, Quinn, and Wade. He is also survived by his cousin Kelvern Pickering’s son Charlie, his wife Cheryl and their children Carissa and Caiden as well as his cousin Jeanie Pompana whom he called his “sister by choice”, and his friend of 50 years, Grant Duncan.

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He worked in the grocery store for Andy Clearwater and delivered groceries In Elgin on his bike. His father worked for farmers and at the rink.  His mother babysat, did cleaning, and with Rae’s help cleaned the hall for her “Legion Boys”.  Times were tough but they managed.  Margaret his sister improved their finances when she became a telephone operator. Rae remembers them as having one of the first televisions in Elgin.

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Rae was mentored by a man who opened his eyes to another world as they talked and read books.  His influence was what gave Rae the idea he would attend Brandon University.  He was a gold medal student in geology.  Rocks were his thing, but he did not have enough money to go to Alberta to further his interest in geology.  He took up teaching and taught high school in a number of locations.

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Rae was a gentle soul, kind to all and displayed an innocence that made him trust that people would do the right thing by him as he did by them. His health started to deteriorate in his late 40’s and he was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.  This marked the ending of his teaching career much to his heartbreak. Special thanks to his psychiatrist Dr. Goertz and Dr. Issac his G.P. who cared for him.

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His money to go to university had been made through painting for Graham Robertson in Elgin. He was trained by the best and his work reflected that.  He filled his time with painting commissions and gophering for the Prince Edward staff, where his wife was principal. Rae loved to travel and in his and Sylvia’s first good years, travelled to many cities and countries.

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His tombstone has a deck of cards on it.  He could beat us all in cards and was famous for going out first, yet, for him in life the hand that he was dealt did not contain the best cards.  He never complained and made the best of what he was dealt.  He was a self-effacing soul who loved to help others.  He will be remembered as a good man.

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Cremation has taken place and according to Rae’s instructions, no service will be held.