Robert Taylor

Robert Shannon Taylor passed away peacefully on February 5, 2016 at the full age of 92. Robert and his beloved wife of 69 years, Florence EileenTaylor, have made their home in St. George for the past 18 years. Robert was born in Belfast N Ireland on October 10,1923. He was an engineer by trade, a ship draftsman and worked for major engineering firms throughout the world including Harland & Wolff, the worlds largest ship builder during the 20th century in Belfast. This was the home of the RMS Olympic, HMMS Britannic and the RMS Titanic.

After 3 years and 7 months of courtship, Bob married Florence in Belfast in October 20,1947. Two years later they were blessed with a baby girl; Linda Margaret Eileen on January 18, 1949. The family lived in South Belfast. On June 27 1952, Robert and Florence were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This started their long journey of coming to Utah with many stops in between. With the goal of providing a better life for his family, Robert found a 2 year contracted job with Canadian Vickers in Montreal Canada.  On October 16, 1952, the family sailed from Liverpool on the RMS Franconia to Quebec City and settled in Montreal. Robert loved living in Montreal and soon became a hockey fan of the Montreal Canadians. Two sons followed; Rodney Paul (born July 15, 1954 in Montreal) and Robert Nigel born on September 29, 1955 on their Mothers return trip to Belfast. Another long vacation in Ireland followed in the summer of 1960. The urge to travel and see more of the world continued as the family moved across Canada in 1962 to Richmond, British Columbia. The west coast of Canada reminded our dad of Ireland as it rained all the time!

After 5 years in BC, dad made the best move, according to his children,  with the move to the Oakland hills in Northern California on December 13,1967.  More relocations and employment took dad to Johannesburg South Africa for 5 years in the 70s, 5 years in Boise Idaho and then to Orem Utah for 5 more years and finally settling down for good in St George Utah in 1992.

Dad came a long way from his humble beginnings in a little town in Ireland. He was able to fulfill his dream of seeing the world but never lost sight of where he started. Our father loved his heritage; he loved being Irish. Indeed he kept his accent his entire life! And he loved his new country, the United States of America. He became a proud US citizen. He loved the church. He served faithfully as a temple worker, scout leader, brach present, high councilman, home teacher. Dad love to read and study history. He had a thirst for knowledge.

Robert Shannon Taylor is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Florence Eileen Taylor, his daughter Linda Margaret Eileen Taylor Neil, his sons, Rodney Paul Taylor and Robert Nigel Taylor; 7 grandsons with one deceased, 5 granddaughters; 9 great grand daughters with one deceased and 9 great grandsons.

A service celebrating the life of Robert Taylor was held in Ivins Utah on February 8, 2016