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July 15, 2021
1930-2021 ~ Ross Taylor, beloved husband of Betty Taylor, passed away at the beautiful age of 90 at home in Duncan, BC, on July 15, 2021, with loving family at his side.
Ross was born in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan in 1930 to Elreta and Clifford Taylor. He was raised on the family farm near Blackfoot, Alberta with his older brothers Ronald and Murray and his twin sister Rosemary. Ross loved farming with his dad, and he believed that would be his life work. His dream was cut short when his father tragically and unexpectedly passed away in 1955 forcing the sale of the farm.
Ross's older brothers were both members of the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, and Ross shared their passion of flying. Seeking new adventures, Ross moved to Edmonton and fulfilled his dream of becoming a pilot. He worked for the Edmonton Flying Club and in 1957 married Helen Humble.
The newlyweds settled in Fort St. John, BC, where Ross worked for a trailer company hauling house trailers from BC to Ontario. He next joined Pacific Petroleums and began what would be a long and successful career in the oil industry working in Taylor, BC, Empress, AB, and finally Calgary as a Materials Management and Inventory Specialist.
His work with Pacific took him to Newfoundland, Jamaica, Barbados, and the Philippines. His time in Empress was particularly enjoyable for him as he owned his own airplane. Many of his nieces and nephews recall exciting airplane rides over the patchwork prairie with Uncle Ross.
Ross was a wonderful father, and he and Helen raised three children that he adored, Wendy Impagliazzo (Joe), Tammy Taylor and Lenard Taylor (Madonna Ryan). His children fondly remember their dad as a loving and compassionate father who put family first.
In 1985 Ross formed his own consulting company, and the next phase of his life began when he met and then married Elizabeth (Betty) Arndt (nee Ufland) in 1986. Ross continued to work on international projects in Pakistan, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, and Indonesia where he and Betty lived abroad.
He retired in 2003.
Ross loved the outdoors and met Betty on a hike in the Canadian Rockies. They spent the first few years of their marriage enjoying the Calgary area - hiking and camping in the Mountains and snowmobiling and dirt biking at Betty's family farm near Sundre with her extended family and two sons, Allan Arndt and Robert Arndt. Ross became a second Dad to Robert and Allan, and they will miss him greatly.
Ross and Betty relocated to Vancouver Island, in 1991, where they shared a very happy life together first in Cowichan Bay and then Duncan. Island life afforded Ross the opportunity to pursue passions such as boating, golfing, gardening, travel, and volunteer work. Family and friends visited often, and new life-long friendships were formed.
Ross loved spending time with his children, stepchildren, and grandchildren (Jesse Taylor, Ashley Jackson (Matt), Michael Impagliazzo, Oliver Taylor (Hannah) and Jeremy Taylor), and Betty and he frequently visited Rhode Island and Calgary to be with their family. Oliver and Ross had a particularly close bond, and Oliver visited Grandpa every year, often for his birthday, and they created many beautiful memories together.
Ross and Betty shared a special love that was the envy of all who knew them, was a love that endured to the very end, and is a love that will continue for all time.
Ross will always be remembered as a loving father and husband, as a kind and generous friend, for his smile that lit up a room, for his passion for living, for his positive outlook, for his wonderful sense of humor, and for his resilient spirit. He was a true gentleman and will be kindly remembered by all who were lucky enough to know him.
He is survived by his devoted wife, his children and stepchildren, his sister, his grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Ross will be celebrated with one last happy hour at a private celebration on August 22. For those who wish, please donate to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in Ross's memory. Condolences may be offered online at www.sandsduncan.com
Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength, they will soar high on wings like eagles.
Sands of Duncan



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