|
Tom Taylor, 19, a former five-letterman in three sports at Amherst Central School, died today (Aug. 28, 1968) in Roswell Park Memorial Institute. He had been ill for more than a year.
Taylor, a 6 foot, 190-pounder, caught the attention of scouts from half a dozen colleges before his promising athletic career was interrupted in March of 1967 when surgeons amputated his left leg just above the knee to arrest a bone disease.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Robert Taylor of 717 Longmeadow Rd., Eggertsville, Tom played every game in three different sports on Amherst teams, prior to his illness.
(reprinted from original death notice)
|
Steve Greenfield Raikin
From Joel Rebmann:
Tom Taylor was my best friend from grade school until his untimely death on August 28, 1968 at Roswell Park Memorial Institute. My favorite Tommy story occurred after he lost his leg. It was a cold winter night and we had spent the evening drinking at Brunners. We left separately, both feeling no pain. The next morning, he called and told me that he had fallen on the way to his car and had broken his leg. My reaction was to ask, “How are you going to get along with one leg broken and missing the other one?” He laughed and said not to worry -- he'd broken his artificial leg! That's the kind of guy Tommy was.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Steve Raikin (Greenfield):
Tom Taylor was an amazing young man who truly loved our alma mater; a kind, thoughtful, caring and courageous person; a fabulous athlete on the football, baseball, & basketball teams; a loyal friend to many of his classmates, who universally admired him and his quiet and genuine dignity ... and a tremendous inspiration to all of us in the Class of '67, and many others as well. When he left us, too soon and at such a young age, we missed him. We miss him still. May he rest in peace.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Michael Gordon:
Tom Taylor was that rare breed who personally excelled at so many things while at the same time supporting and being there for other people. He really was a selfless, kind person. I still feel that with clarity 45 years later.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Joseph Zoratti:
Grew up with Bob and Tom Taylor and played baseball with them. I was amazed that Tom, even with his disability, what a positive attitude he had.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Peter Slattery:
Tom was a really good guy. Really, the good die young. So sad.