Neil Taylor MacKinnon
Born In: Churchview Inverness County
Born: December 30th, 1930
Passed in: Westmount, Canada
Passed on: April 1st, 2016
It is with profound sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Taylor MacKinnon, 85, of Westmount, at Harbourstone Enhanced Care on April 1, 2016.
Born on Dec. 30, 1930, in Churchview, Inverness County, Taylor was the son of the late Duncan and Mary MacKinnon, and was he last surviving of their nine children.
Taylor spent his entire working life as a proud employee of Maritime Tel & Tel, where he held various positions in the company from lineman, repair and installation technician to business services representative. All in a career that spanned over 40 years.
As a longtime resident of Westmount, Taylor’s commitment to his community and its various organizations was evident throughout his whole life. He was a Past Master of East Gate Lodge 127 and a member of the Philae Temple Shriners. Taylor also shared his love of music as a member of both the Cape Breton Masonic Choir and the Westmount United Church Choir. He also served first as an Elder of the Westmount United Church and then as an Honorary Elder up until his passing.
It takes a special kind of person to put themselves in harm’s way in order to help others and keep them safe. That’s just what Taylor did as he served his community proudly as a member of the Westmount Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years. Taylor joined the department in 1971 and served as chief for four years until his retirement from active service in December of 1993 when he then was made an honorary member of the department.
Taylor was also an avid car enthusiast and at one time was involved in racing stock cars at the local speedway. There he was known as a true gentleman both on and off the track. His love of cars was something that he shared with both his sons and is something that continues with them to this day.
Taylor will be lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend of 62 years Maye (nee MaPhail), and his children Melanie (Gerald) Phillippo, Walter (Wendy), Gary (Lynn) and Tracy, his grandchildren Brandon and Tyler Phillippo, Daniel and Justin MacKinnon, Megan Shepard, and Grace MacKinnon, and his great-grandchildren Brayden, Ava, Jonah and Jase. Taylor will also be greatly missed by his numerous nieces and nephews and extended family and his dear friends.
Taylor was predeceased by his six sisters, Annabella, Christina, Euphemia, Jessie, Margaret and Mary, and by his two brothers Murdock and Donald. He was also predeceased by his foster parents D.H and Jessie Ann MacDonald.
Cremation has taken place and visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 5, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at S.W. Chant & Son Funeral Home, 564 Alexandra St., Sydney. Funeral service to be held on Wednesday, April 6 at 2 p.m. at the Westmount United Church, Westmount Road with Rev. Norma Mills officiating. Reception to follow in the church hall. Interment to take place at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens at a later date.
Memorial donations in memory of Taylor may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
