Jeffrey Michael Taylor, 49, of Malden, passed away at home on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Jeff was born on July 17, 1975, in Malden, Massachusetts, and was a devoted and adored father to Phoebe, 6, Charlotte, 12, and Emily, 18, and loving husband and best friend for nearly 30 years to Ariane (Schena) “Ari” Taylor of Malden. The son of James Taylor of Chelsea and Nancy Gallagher of Tewksbury, Jeff also leaves a sister, Katie Gallagher, and her fiance Evan Carlucci of Brooklyn, NY, and a brother, Daniel Lepore, and his partner Julie Kneeland, of Billerica. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Dianne Schena of Malden, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Jeff was raised in Everett and graduated from Everett High School in 1993, then New England Institute of Art in 2010, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Audio and Media Technology after many years of hard work and determination.
Jeff was the heartbeat of his family, unwavering in his support of his wife and daughters’ future goals and dreams. Jeff was employed as an events technician at Encore Boston, but his true passion lay in writing, especially poetry. A published poet and accomplished live performer, Jeff was a staple of the Boston and Cambridge poetry scene, starting out at Stone Soup and with The Collective, where he honed his passion for multimedia performance, bringing musicians, spoken word, performance, and audio/visuals into one show.
He was co-founder and producing director of ControVerse, a popular open mic night at Urban Media Arts in Malden that attracted artists from across Greater Boston. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he began hosting a virtual “Garage Poets” gathering that offered support and connection for artists and community members isolated by lockdown. Its effects on the arts community are still being felt through continued friendships and collaborations to this day.
Political activism ran in Jeff’s blood, and he gave countless hours of volunteer time to causes and candidates he cared about. A founding member of Our Revolution Malden, Jeff advocated for a more equitable and just society at all levels, believing deeply in the intrinsic value of every human being and the power of good government to change lives. He pushed hard for bravery and accountability in his elected representatives, and put his own hard-earned dollars and precious time into electing and supporting those he cared about and believed in. Chief among these was his own wife Ari, who ran twice for City Council, winning her seat representing Malden’s Ward 5 in 2023 with Jeff and their children by her side.
Ari and Jeff met through a mutual friend as teenagers, quickly became best friends, and never lived apart from that point onward. Creating a family, enjoying the small moments in life together, and relaxing at home gave them joy. Jeff never took his blessings for granted but found meaning in questioning life’s purpose and his role in the universe, often quoting The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: “he felt that his whole life was some kind of dream, and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.” He lived each day to the fullest, cherishing good food and good smoke, live music, many beloved pets, biking around town, strong coffee, and spending time with friends.
Jeff’s spirit in this world is irreplaceable and he will be deeply, profoundly missed by all who knew him.
Services in Jeff’s memory will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in St. Paul’s Parish, 26 Washington Street in Malden. Relatives, friends, and anyone touched by Jeff’s life are invited to visiting hours from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., immediately followed by a 12:30 celebration of life and burial in Forest Dale Cemetery. A memorial of his life and poetry is planned for July 17, 2025, to celebrate his 50th birthday.
To support the Taylor family in this time of need, visit www.WeLoveTheTaylorFamily.com.