Lionel Wilbur Taylor, 91, of Mystic died Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at the Westerly Hospital. He is survived by wife of 68 years, Fay (Hacker) Taylor.
He was born April 28, 1923, in New York City, the son of George and Elizabeth (Strout) Taylor. He attended Colgate University, Class of 1945, but left in 1942 to enter OCS in the US Navy until 1946. While in the Navy, he served as Chief Gunnery Officer on the USS Randolph air craft carrier, surviving numerous kamikaze attacks. Following his military service, he returned to Colgate, graduating in 1948 with a Masters Degree in Physics. He worked as a Mechanical Engineer in the manufacturing of air conditioning and compressor equipment.
His interests included skiing, golf, tennis and sailing. He sailed all his life, starting as a boy at the Echo Bay Yacht Club and later as an adult on the Isle of Wight in Cowes, England and also in Long Island Sound. Lionel retired to Groton Long Point in 1987. During his retirement, he was a freelance marine author whose articles were published in several sailing magazines, as well as author of the book, The Ensign Story. He also volunteered for several years in the Blunt White Library at Mystic Seaport.
In addition to his wife, Fay, he is survived by two daughters, Joy and Kim. He is predeceased by his son, Tad.
Funeral services and interment will be private for the family.
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