SOUTH HADLEY – Bruce Charles Taylor, 64, of South Hadley, passed away unexpectedly on March 27, 2022. Born and raised in Holyoke, a son of the late Donald and Carole (Cadieux) Taylor, he graduated from Holyoke High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served as a Torpedoman’s Mate aboard the USS Trepang. Following his military service, he settled in South Hadley and was employed in the construction industry throughout Massachusetts and the surrounding states until his retirement. He was a gentle man with an unmatched work ethic, a man of his word, a fierce protector of his family and full of unwavering love and faith. He was an avid classic rock fan, a history buff, loved to travel and enjoyed playing softball in many local men’s leagues in his younger years. He was affectionately known as a “Bear”- intimidating in stature with a heart of pure gold. A man of God, Bruce served as a Deacon for many years at LifePoint Church in Chicopee and traveled on many mission trips bringing him to Mexico, China, Africa and Romania. His memory will live on through his wife of 40 years, Lynda (Naginewicz) Taylor; his son, Zack, a decorated Naval Senior Chief who proudly serves in his father’s footsteps; his daughter, Kayla, his biggest fan and his spitting image; Zack’s wife Brittany, whom he loved as his own; and the five apples of his eye, his grandchildren, Madison, Makenzie, TJ, Paisley and Taylor. He also leaves his older sister, Dawn-Marie; his three younger brothers and their spouses, Christopher-Lee (Melinda), Bryan-Keith (Janine) and Todd-Lynn (Jamie); his father in law and mother in law, Robert Naginewicz and Constance (Williams) Parse; his two brothers in law and their spouses, Robert, Jr. (Annette) and David Naginewicz; his many nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family members; and his numerous friends including his lifelong friend, Michael Lucchesi that he proudly proclaimed as his fourth brother. His family will receive friends on Thursday, March 31, 2022 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 10 a.m. at Lifepoint Church, 603 New Ludlow Road, Chicopee, MA 01020, (please meet directly at the Church). His Committal Service with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Funeral Service at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the LifePoint Church, 603 New Ludlow Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com