For those of you that have Facebook knew about this yesterday. For the rest of you, this is one of the saddest news that I had to pass along to you. I knew this person for my entire life in PV8 and I am sad to announce that Ken Taylor, charter member of PV8, died on Sunday, September 6 at Noble Hospital in Westfield.

 

It was at his house, 8 Greylock Street in Westfield that Pioneer Valley Chapter 8 was formed. He was in the chapter for all 49 years of it's existance (since September 28, 1960). Ken and his wife Barbara did so much for the chapter throughout the years. He still went camping everytime that he could. When Barbara died in 1997, he still continued on with life and still did things for the chapter. He knew everything about the chapter and NAFCA that he could tell you. He was there when you needed his help during the campshow and other chapter events that he went to. Ken will be missed in the chapter and the Westfield community.

 

James Kenneth Taylor 1929 - 2009 WESTFIELD - James Kenneth "Ken" Taylor, age 80, of 8 Greylock Street in Westfield, died Sunday at Noble Hospital. He was born in Fall River, MA in 1929, graduated from Bridgewater State College in 1951 and received a Master of Science from Columbia University in 1954. In 1953 he married the former Barbara L. Gray (deceased December 15, 1997) and they moved to Westfield in 1956 when he joined the faculty of Westfield State College. After serving over 40 years as a professor, including 15 years as Chairman of the Biology Department and many years as Commencement Grand Marshall, he retired in 1996. His academic areas of interest included environmental biology, ecology and preparing future generations of science teachers. He had longtime affiliations with the National Science Teachers Association, the National Science Foundation and Massachusetts Envirothon. A very dedicated member of city government, he served over 40 years as Chairman of the City of Westfield Conservation Commission and played an important role in the growth of Westfield. He was recently recognized as the longest serving Chairperson inMassachusetts' history. A long-standing member of the Westfield River Watershed Association, he held various leadership positions, including President, in over 50 years of service. More recently he helped found the Winding River Land Conservancy in 1998 and was President from 2004 to 2006. He was also a long time member of the Hampden Conservation District, Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts, and the Barnes Aquifer Protection Advisory Commission. An avid camper, he helped found Pioneer Valley Chapter 8 of the North America Family Campers Association (NAFCA) in 1960, served for many years as Chapter Treasurer and was very active in the Camping and Outdoor Show held annually at the Big E. Upon retirement he became veryinvolved in many community service efforts, including the coordination of several Habitat for Humanity building projects in the Westfield area and vo lunteering his time to deliver Meals on Wheels. A member of the United Methodist Church in Westfield for over 50 years, he most recently served as a trustee and on the Staff-Parish Committee. He leaves a son, Rear Admiral Keith Taylor, USCG, and his wife Charlene of Arnold, Maryland, and a daughter, Doctor Sherry Emery and her husband David of Weston, Massachusetts, survive him. Three grandchildren, Helen Emery, Benjamin Taylor and James Emery, also survive him. Funeral will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad St in Westfield with burial at Pine Hill Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 5:00 to 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the Westfield River Watershed Association (WRWA) at PO Box 1764, Westfield, MA 01086-1764. firtionadams.com

 

You will be missed Ken!