In Loving Memory
Of
Thomas “Aelred” Taylor

Service
INVITE ONLY. THURSDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2021. COMMENCING AT 11:00 A.M.

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Thomas “Aelred” Taylor
29/12/1927-25/09/2021
Passed away peacefully at
Casey Hospital, Berwick.
Beloved husband of 69 years to Irene,
and father to John (dec), Anne, Sue,
Frank, Helen, Chris, Gerard,
Hilary, Catherine and their spouses.
Grandfather of 26,
great-grandfather of 10 (2 pending).
A long life, well lived. Sail away. 

Invite only due to the
current Government restrictions
maximum of 10 may attend.

Requiem Mass for the
repose of the soul for
Thomas “Aelred” Taylor
will be offered at
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
142 Princes Highway Pakenham on
Thursday 7th October 2021
commencing at 11:00 a.m.
A burial will follow at
Springvale Botanical Cemetery
in the W. Stewart Memorial Lawn Area
arriving at approx. 1:05 – 1:15 p.m.

Should you wish to send your personal condolences
to the family, please leave a message on the
“Leave a condolence” link located on this page.

Condolences / Guest Book

  1. How sad that he could not be sent off with all the people, singing and music that he so fully contributed to throughout his life.
    Goodbye to a wonderful human being.

    John Peyton
  2. TAT,a considerate and valued friend and workmate for many years
    His unusual humourous personality was appreciated by most and will be sadly missed
    Our thoughts are with Rene and family
    Ken and Fay Blight

    Ken & Ken Blight
  3. I am so sorry to hear the news. Aelred was amazing in his efforts to keep in touch with the UK Taylors and several times a year we would correspond and share the latest family information. My mother Margaret Taylor (until she passed away) was the one here who wrote the letters, sent the cards and kept the knowledge of everything family wise in the UK. and Aelred was likewise the one in Australia who did the same. He will be missed.

    Paul Taylor
  4. 71 years ago I first met Aelred and 69 years ago I was Best Man at his marriage to Rene. Soon after he and Rene left for Australia .
    The thousands of miles made no difference to a wonderful friendship

    God bless you Aelred.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you, with Rene and with all the family now and always,.

    Dvid Stephens
  5. Aelred, thankyou for welcoming me into your family all those years ago. I have many wonderful memories of our adventures.
    You were a great role model and a second father to me.
    To Mrs Taylor and all the Taylor Clan my sincere sympathy.
    Thankyou Aelred, Rene and all, for your friendship and love.
    Joe Milesi,
    Clare and the Milesi Family

    Joe Milesi
    • Thank you for your kind words Helen has been a great comfort and their primary carer the family have been taking turns in rotation to look after mum. Some of us can’t help as we live interstate cath

      Catherine (Taylor) Tinkler
  6. Deepest condolences to Irene and all in the family. I worked with Aelred at Connell’s from 1986 to 1994. I will always remember him for his calm and gentle nature. Always considerate, he was a true gentleman. He was moved by what I wrote on farewell cards for departing staff and when it came his time to retire he let me know that he really appreciated what I said about him. This led him to reestablish contact about 10 years ago and I was so glad he did. We shared quite a few emails and phone conversations and I really enjoyed having lunch with him when he came into town a couple of times. I will cherish a couple of wooden bowls he made for me, which I keep on my coffee table and will always have fond memories of him when I look at them and allow my mind to wonder. I’m sorry that these lockdowns stopped me from visiting him earlier this year…such a good man.

    Rocco Carinci
  7. Aelred has always displayed a genuine interest in developing sincere lasting friendships with others. We first met him decades ago through our work and we have maintained regular contact by phone and email over this period even though geographical distances have made direct contact increasingly rare. His very newsworthy regular emails have always been most welcome and they indicate his great love for his wonderful and large family.
    Our thoughts are with Rene and family at this time.
    Bill & Eron Farrar.

    Bill Farrar
  8. Remembering a wonderful, and welcoming man, who was funny and kind. I send my sympathies to Irene, his children and the rest of the family. I’m sorry that his memorial can’t be as you would have wished it, with music, friends and relations celebrating his life. Sending all my love, Cari ( and aelred always called me yorkie…) xx

    Cari Searle
  9. My deepest condolences to Irene and family. Aelred was a wonderful colleague and mentor when I worked at Connell’s in the ’80’s and 90’s. He was full of stories about building the Arts Centre, the Theatres Building, the Concert Hall and the engineering difficulties of the site. I learnt a lot just listening to him talk, not least the sheer size of the State Theatre stage and backstage. Aelred kept a model of a Holden engine block in his office. A member of the Institution of Structural Engineers, he would tell me about his trips to the UK. He loved music, and was very proud of his children’s musical achievements. For a while Aelred went to classes at CAE and one year we were in the same end-of-year CAE concert. i think he was playing clarinet. Aelred was kind and funny; once he told me about a family member in the UK retiring to live on the coast and how their dream was spoiled by the constant coastal wind, salt and sand! He was always practical. He asked me what I missed most about not working and he said for him it was the reduction in income. I wanted to visit recently but sadly lockdown put a spanner in the works. Aelred was a great engineer, a cultured gentleman and a good friend. I will miss him. May angels attend thee, Aelred!

    Coral Ware

    Coral Ware
    • A great engineer and person to work for always helpful. I remember him giving me a couple of books on engineering terminology so I would increase my knowledge and understanding of the building industry. A great man, will be missed.

      Ingrid Kush
  10. Aelred’s email updates were always appreciated. His opus, “As I remember it” was a masterpiece and helped us sort out Aunts and Uncles from the past. Our condolences to all the family.
    Sidney, British Columbia, Canada.

    Richard and Marilyn Taylor
  11. It is with much sadness that we hear of the passing of Aelred. We offer our condolences to Irene and the family. We will certainly miss the witty emails and the many anecdotes he had. Aelred would often ask when the Gymea Lilly would flower. In the twenty plus years of maintaining the garden, it is currently in flower for the second time providing a spectacular display. To a wonderful gentleman, may you Rest In Peace.
    Warm Regards
    Travis, Joanne Parker & family.

    Travis & Joanne Parker & family
    • Thanks Travis and Jo, I had been keeping Dad up to date with photos of the Gymea lily, it started it’s bloom on 21/8 and the last photo he saw was on the Sunday before he died 17/9. The plant’s latest progress was photographed just yesterday with its crown in magnificent bloom. It has been attracting the honey eaters and it sure is a magnificent thing! Helen

      Helen Piccolo
  12. Dear Grandad,
    I’ll never forget cruising in the car with you and Grandma, music blaring and windows open ( only for a very short time as you preferred closed windows with Aircon on), I could feel your love for classical music and I fell in love with it too.

    You walked through life standing tall and proud, resonating diligence, strength and graciousness. I promise to carry these traits with me as I continue my earthside walk, passing on what was so effortlessly passed on to me and many others.

    You will be remembered dearly and I know you will always be there to guide us should any of your loved ones veer off track.

    Now, off you go, let your hair down and enjoy the spiritual world.
    We will all meet you there sometime in the future.
    Until then, I love you Grandad.

    Maddy x

    Madeleine Woodward
  13. Our love to you all. Celebrate the wonderful life of your father and husband, the love you shared as well as all those happy memories. Xx

    Marg and Kevin inness
  14. With fond and grateful memories of the blessing that Aelred, Irene and family gave to St Francis’ Church and St Francis’ Choir over so many years, I offer my sympathy to the whole Taylor family. Music, hospitality and service – a wonderful combination to be treasured.

    Tom Knowles
  15. My thoughts and prayers are with Renie and all the family.
    How wonderful to be able to join you for the lovely service from so far away.
    God bless.
    Jenny

    Jennifer Walsh
  16. Our deepest condolences on the passing of Aelred. Our love goes to Rene and the entire Taylor family during this difficult time. I personally have some wonderful memories of Aelred when living in the Taylor household and especially boating with Aelred and Gerard on the Gippsland Lakes. Those memories I will cherish forever. Rest in Peace Aelred. Love Jonathan, Caroline and kids. XXX

    Jonathan & Caroline Upton
  17. Sincere Sympathy to Irene and Family at the death of Aelred. Like them, I was one of the Foundation Members of the St Francis Choir of the 1960’s. I do not think of the Choir without picturing Irene and Aelrad. They were fine Musicians.
    I was pleased to follow the Requiem today, thanks to Loretta Skehan, whose Mother was also a Foundation Member of the Choir.
    Today’s Service was very fitting and as a former Music Teacher, I would like to say the Music was well chosen.

    Mary Kelleher
  18. Great Uncle Aelred was such a gentleman and it was so wonderful to hear all family updates through him. He was such a special connector for the extended family and I will deeply miss hearing from him. May he rest easy and be reunited with my Grandma Eileen. My deepest condolences for the loss of a gem. We celebrate the beautiful life he lived.

    Leanne (Van Breda) Maroun
  19. Sincere condolences to all the family. Uncle Aelred is now with my Mom, his elder sister catching up on everything. He was a great communicator and kept me in the picture when there was any news in the family.
    Love to all
    From South Africa
    Justine and family

    Justine Malyon
  20. Dad thank you for being you and everything you have done for me and my family. Both you and mum have an undying love, for each other and it showed. You were both patient with us and showed us that same love and care that parents give their children. You alway supported me and my siblings in all our endeavours and still supported us when we failed and you supported us by encouraging us to keep going and to get back up. Thank you for the memories that Gerard and l have from sailing, the races on western port bay Werribee river Gippsland lakes and lake Eildon where l met Stuart. Dad your passion for music was remarkable and thank you for being at our music exams and your encouragement which you didn’t always give out but when you did it meant a lot. Bot you and mum but especially you were there for Kimberley and were the only man in her life that she count on and trust and were true to your word. Wished I called more but lm going to miss the most is your voice and the hugs that were uniquely to you. You alway listened to my problems and did your best to help even when l had a shit day you mad it better. You were nothing but a true gentleman with a cheeky smile and some what a dry sense of humour which always made me smile. As Ethan said we will meet again, but until then goodbye for now, wishing you a fair seas and calm waters

    Catherine tinkler
  21. Condolences to Irene and Family.
    Thank you for being able to share the funeral mass for Aelred via modern technology.
    Irene having known you and Aelred since the 1960’s in the Saint Francis choir; there are many fond memories. Through to the last phone call with Aelred about three weeks ago.
    Sixteen years of the association , were working at John Connell and Associates. Aelred’s distinguished demure and patience with the young engineers and drafting staff; he earned their their respect and trust.
    God bless and protect you Irene and Family.
    Love and prayers Maurice and Loretta.

    Loretta and Maurice Skehan
  22. Anne and all your family:
    We reach out to you at this sad and difficult time. The loss of Aelred will leave behind a big space.

    We were always made so welcome by both Renée and Aelred when we visited Australia. The last time we saw Aelred he proudly took us to see his “Rogues Gallery” of family photos that lined the study. He was so proud of all of you. You will miss him greatly.

    Although Aelred will never more be a physical presence in any of our lives he will always remain in our hearts. Unlike the planet that we live on and the brain within our heads the heart does not have two hemispheres. The heart also knows no physical distance. Although we live in separate hemispheres and although Covid has made travelling across the globe so much more difficult, we come together in the love that we share. It is love that we look up to for support at such trying and challenging times.

    Our love to Rene, toyou and to all the family that have been so generous and welcoming to us over the years.

    John and Pam Woodward.

    Pam and John