Michael "Jack" Taylor

Michael "Jack" Taylor, 91, of Whitney Point departed this life at home surrounded by his loving family on March 12, 2026. He was predeceased by his wife, Janet; parents, Robert and Katherine; brothers, Bob and Tommy ; and his 3 boys at their births. He is survived by his son, Thomas (Lisa) Taylor; daughter, Ann (Mark) Derwin; daughter, Ellen (Terry) Russell; daughter, Jennifer (Jason) Allen; grandchildren, Danny (Riley), Austin, Marissa (Rob), Madeline (Nic), Bridget, Nate, Aubrey (Drew), Brennan (Madison), Grace, Cameron (Kaylee), Griffin (Ada), Eve (Julian), Jenna and Roman; great-grandchildren, Grayson, Emma, Emmitt and Kinslee; several brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. 

Jack was a man who came from humble beginnings and maintained this throughout his life.  He lived simply and was the hardest working man our family knew.  He prided himself in raising close knit family and expressed his happiness for leaving a family legacy that will live on.  A fond memory we will cherish was him saying in his last few days, that he didn’t want to brag too much but he was pretty happy he had such beautiful children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that brought him much joy.

Jack was son of immigrant parents raised on his father’s dairy in Jericho Long Island until the age of ten, then during the depression his father bought the Whitney Point Stock farm on route 11 when all of Route 11 was a farm, and loved telling people his current home and neighborhood was his hayfields growing up.  

He was a graduate from Whitney Point and after graduation struck out on his own, working in the construction industry for a few years before enlisting in the Army to serve in Germany and France which afforded him time to travel to meet his relatives in England and Ireland, the home countries of his parents, which meant a lot to him.  After being honorably discharged from the Army Jack received one of the last presidential appointments to become Postmaster of Whitney Point by John F Kennedy, where he enjoyed a 30 year career.  He received an award for never taking a sick day in 30 years. 

Jack was an entrepreneurial man running businesses in the area alongside his wife Jan (Taylor’s Greenery, Taylor Readimix).  Other notable accomplishments were being an avid reader with a seat on the Board of Mary Wilcox library and having their library card number 1, volunteer driving ambulance in town, his Shire horses and going to horse shows, antique cars and car shows, writing poetry and being part of the Binghamton Poetry Project.  Jack also was a great historian and was our go-to to fill in the blanks on local or familial history.  Some called him a walking encyclopedia. 

Jack loved owning land and the upkeep that came with it, going to auctions, socializing with people around town.   We marvel at everything Dad has seen invented in his lifetime from cars, tvs, all types of communication etc. 

Jack was also a man of faith being an active member of St. Patrick’s church where he helped with their cemetery upkeep and food pantry until his health declined and no longer possible. 

His children would like to thank Jack’s caregivers Sharon and Carnell who made it possible for Jack to stay at home in his final years; Guthrie’s Hospice program especially his nurses Lisa, Gail, Shannon and Social Worker Carley who made his last few months peaceful and brought the family much comfort, and his neighbor Ron Orzel who brightened Dad’s day by stopping by daily for a visit bringing in Dads paper.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00pm Monday, March 23 at St Patricks Catholic Church, 59 Keibel Rd, Whitney Point, NY 13862. Friends of the family may call from 9:00am until the time of service at the Church Monday, March 23. Arrangements are under the direction of Nichols Funeral Home, 7323 119 St, Whitney Point, NY 13862 and condolences may be sent to the family at www.nicholsfuneral.com

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