TAYLOR, YBARRA

Posted by Robert Taylor on Friday, April 11, 2008 at 14:19:47 :

OBITUARY

After a short battle against brain cancer, John Steven Taylor "Butch" 63, passed away peacefully with his children at the bedside April 9th, 2008 at the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto. A Native of San Francisco, he was born May 27, 1944 to Alma and Frank "Tom" Taylor. He is the younger brother of Frank Taylor Jr. "Butch" was an avid boyscout, folk dancer and outdoor enthusiast. He grew up in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. He graduated from Balboa High School in 1961. Thereafter he joined the Marine Corps where he served as a reserve and was honorably discharged after six years. During that time he also began work as a tradesman and became a licensed contractor. At the young age of 22 he bought his first home and married his high school sweetheart Diane Ybarra. Together they raised three children, John Jr., Robert, and Elisa. As a resident of Marin County, he enjoyed exploring the great outdoors and was a talented skier, roller blader, and gymnast. He had a love for gardening, and dancing. He was an active supporter in the community and loved contributing to the Youth in Arts annual Italian Street Festival. He enthusiastically donated his time to improving community organizations whether he was inventing ways to boost fundraising for the street festival or sponsoring artists. Throughout his life he planted over 10,000 trees. As a member of the Marin Rod and Gun Club he volunteered his time to help rebuild the old pier at the club. He was a successful contractor starting and owning his own business for over 40 years. Taylor Construction left its mark as a craftsman and a business built on integrity throughout the entire bay area personally building over 35 homes and commercial business. His most memorable mark lies in the restoration of a historical building used during the 1915 World's Fair. The Dome, currently rests beautifully and fully restored in San Rafael's Rotary Manor. John will be missed dearly and remembered by all those whom lives he touched. He was a father, mentor, teacher, and friend to so many that came into his life. Many he considered his children. He was generous, kind, loyal, and hard working to say the least. He strongly believed that we should always give back more than we take on this earth and he lived his entire life with that regard. He looked for the best in people and had the knack for bringing it out in them. He was an imaginative inventor, always with a vision of the future. His motto was "If there's a will there's a way", and very little could stand in his way. He is survived by his children John, Robert, Elisa (Anthony), his grandson Jacob, his brother Frank (Wilma) and his nieces Nancy, Cindy, and Sharon Taylor. A private memorial will be held in his honor in San Francisco. In Lieu of flower donations can be made on his behalf to the Hospice Unit at the Veterans Hospital located at 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, Ca.

MEMORIAL AND RECEPTION IN HONOR OF MY FATHER WEDNESDAY APRIL 16TH @ 1:00pm AT THE BASQUE CULTURAL CENTER 599 RAILROAD AVE S. SAN FRANCISCO CA

Obituary published in the Marin Independent Journal on 4/13/2008, and San Francisco Chronicle on 4/13/2008 (page Z-99).