Rick Taylor

SPRINGFIELD - Alan Richard “Rick” Taylor, 64, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 23, 2011, surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Wilmington, Delaware on September 3, 1946, Rick graduated from Conrad High School in Wilmington and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware and eventually his PhD from the University of Massachusetts. Rick had a successful career as a chemical engineer for many different companies, including the former Rexam Graphics, The Rogers Corp. of CT, and most recently, Fibermark in West Springfield. He lived for 22 years in Blandford, MA, where he was active in town government and enjoyed restoring his old home built in the 1700s. For the past 15 years, he lived in Forest Park section of Springfield and spent as much time as he could at his home in Brewster on Cape Cod, where he planned to retire. Rick enjoyed many outdoor sports and activities including hiking, skiing, camping and sailing in Cape Cod Bay with his friend Dean. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother and friend to many. His tender and open-hearted personality drew others to him and his generosity and love for his family and friends was without end. Rick touched many lives and will be truly and deeply missed by all who were blessed to know him. He is predeceased by his father William and survived by his wife, Joan Flahive, his mother, Muriel Lloyd of Lancaster, PA, his brother Russell and wife Ann of Fountain Hills, AZ, and seven devoted children and step-children and their spouses including Jonathan and his wife Jody of Tolland, CT, Katherine and her husband Oliver of Cambridge, MA, Christopher Quinby and his wife Sharise of Castro Valley, CA, Peter Quinby and his wife Rebecca of Springfield, Tina Quinby and her husband Ross Dionne of Jamaica, Matthew Quinby and his wife Elizabeth of Feeding Hills, and Nicholas Quinby of Springfield and his fiancee Jill Bearfield. Rick also leaves behind nine beautiful grandchildren, Rachel, Max, Abigail, Nathan, Matthew, Leo, Caleb, Sierra, and Cayden. Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 28 from 5pm to 8pm at the Cornerstone Church, (formerly Faith Tabernacle) 15 Kibbe Rd, East Longmeadow, MA. A celebration of life will be held in Rick’s honor on Friday, April 29 at 10 am at the Cornerstone Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cornerstone Church, 15 Kibbe Rd, East Longmeadow, MA 01028, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 869 Rt 6A, Brewster, MA 02631 and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., G430B, Boston, MA. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. For directions and expressions of sympathy please visit www.nefcc.net