Celebrating the life of
Dana Mayfield Taylor, Jr.
February 20, 1933 - February 25, 2016
Dana Mayfield Taylor, Jr., was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the only child of Dana Mayfield Taylor and Hylda Picard Taylor. The Harvard trained attorney and private pilot, died at his home with his wife Bonnie by his side and surrounded by his family. He was 83.
Mr. Taylor grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. Both of Dana's parents held long and proud American histories imparticular, the Taylor family history dating back to early American settlers, including lineage of U.S. American Presidents. Mr. Taylor attended high school in Pittsburgh, and was accepted to Centre College in Kentucky at the age of 16. After transferring to Penn State College and graduating, he attended Harvard Law School where he graduated in 1957. Mr. Taylor also served his country and retired a Lt. Colonel of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He served as a Judge Advocate and was called to active duty during the Pueblo Crisis in 1968.
His early work as an attorney at Weller, Wicks and Wallace Law Firm, a trust firm that represented PNC, was where he met his future wife, Bonnie Painter. Dana and Bonnie were married in Pittsburgh at Beulah Presbyterian Church in 1963.
Mr. Taylor's first flight as a student was in August 1962 in a Piper J3 Cub. He convinced his new wife to partake in a honeymoon that included a mini east coast jaunt from Pittsburgh southward, down to Florida on a private plane, before transferring to a less interesting commercial flight to Nassau Bahamas.
His passion for flight led him over the years to ultimately attain a Commercial Pilot license with instrument and multi-engine ratings. The Taylor Family enjoyed many weekend trips and family vacations piloted by Mr. Taylor in their Mooney and later in a Beechcraft Duchess. An occasional poor weather pattern locking them in Nantucket or West Hampton Beach with friends never deterred them from the fun and adventure. Mr. Taylor also attended many air flight shows and was part of the Quiet Birdman organization in North Jersey.
The passion for flight, led Mr. Taylor to join counsel for Curtiss Wright Corporation in 1970. His career at Curtiss Wright, headquartered in New Jersey was a company with origins to the Wright Brothers, but by the 1970s was a global Fortune 500 conglomerate.
He was involved in many global contract negotiations for Curtiss Wright traveling to Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Africa during his 29 years and retired as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in 1999. Following his retirement, he and his wife moved to The Landings in Savannah.
Mr. Taylor enjoyed writing beyond his professional craft as contract author and negotiator. As an avid reader of science fiction he also enjoyed writing non-fiction as well as his own brief autobiography (My First 80 Years). His writing also expressed his truly dry sense of humor, which was particularly explicit in road travel directions that included mile markers to the tenth decimal and expected toll rates.
Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, Bonnie, his two daughters, Jenifer Taylor (partner Kathryn Flanagan) and Rebecca Radosevich (husband Jeffrey) and his two grandchildren, Brooke Radosevich and Henry Radosevich.
Mr. Taylor will be remembered and celebrated for vast, but understated intellect, his dry sense of humor and his exceptionally kind manner.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, February 27, 2016 in the Hodgson Chapel of Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors.
Dear Mrs Taylor, Jennifer and Becky, I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Taylor's passing. He was such a kind man. My parents still talk about the first time he took them flying. Sending you love and prayers. Jane McFarland Petty
- Jane McFarland Petty, New Rochelle, NY
My dear Bonnie, it is with huge regret that we wil be unable to attend your wonderful husband's service. We are thinking of you and your family with love and compassion.
- Anne & Pete Lyon, Savannah, GA
My dear Bonnie, it is with huge regret that we wil be unable to attend your wonderful husband's service. We are thinking of you and your family with love and compassion.
- Anne & Pete Lyon, Savannah, GA
We will remember Dana with affection and admiration. He was a true gentleman. Our love and sympathy to dear friend Bonnie and to his daughters and grandchildren.
- Sue and Ron Jones, Weatherford, Tx
I'm so sorry to hear of your families loss Jen, my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
- Liza Forrest, Waterford, CT
My deepest sympathy to the family. I will keep you in my prayers. Love, Marion
- Marion Burns, Jacksonville, Fl
We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Taylor's passing. Our hearts go out to Mrs. Taylor, Jen, Katie, Becky, Jeff, Brooke and Henry. Carolyn, Charlie and CJ O'Connor xoxoxox
- Carolyn O'Connor, Andover, NJ
Dear Mrs Taylor, Jennifer and Becky, I am very sorry to hear about Mr. Taylor's passing. He was such a kind man. My parents still talk about the first time he took them flying. Sending you love and prayers. Jane McFarland Petty
- Jane McFarland Petty, New Rochelle, NY
My dear Bonnie, it is with huge regret that we wil be unable to attend your wonderful husband's service. We are thinking of you and your family with love and compassion.
- Anne & Pete Lyon, Savannah, GA
My dear Bonnie, it is with huge regret that we wil be unable to attend your wonderful husband's service. We are thinking of you and your family with love and compassion.
- Anne & Pete Lyon, Savannah, GA
We will remember Dana with affection and admiration. He was a true gentleman. Our love and sympathy to dear friend Bonnie and to his daughters and grandchildren.
- Sue and Ron Jones, Weatherford, Tx
I'm so sorry to hear of your families loss Jen, my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
- Liza Forrest, Waterford, CT
My deepest sympathy to the family. I will keep you in my prayers. Love, Marion
- Marion Burns, Jacksonville, Fl
We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Taylor's passing. Our hearts go out to Mrs. Taylor, Jen, Katie, Becky, Jeff, Brooke and Henry. Carolyn, Charlie and CJ O'Connor xoxoxox
- Carolyn O'Connor, Andover, NJ
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
