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The family of Kenneth D. Taylor uploaded a photo
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
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3
The family of Kenneth D. Taylor uploaded a photo
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
/tribute-images/3277/Ultra/Kenneth-Taylor.jpg
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Desmond Benfield posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
My older daugter, Karen, was a sophomore at Middlebury College in Vermont in 1985 when she was advised that an anonymous alumnus had established a scholarship fund for Canadian students only in recognition of Ken Taylor's epic and heroic rescue of Americans from Iran. She would be the first recipient of this award, the Honours Award. As it happens she also became the beneficiary of this award in her junior year. I met Ken Taylor for the first time in 1986 in New York at a Canadian Society of New York event at the Metropolitan Club. When I told him about the Middlebury award he was greatly surprised, because he did not know it existed. However, he was delighted to hear the news and asked to meet Karen when next she was visiting us in New York where I had been posted in 1985. Subsequently, Ken took Karen to lunch some months later to learn more about the scholarship. During my stay in New York over the next five years I had many interfaces with Ken who was always gracious, polite and helpful. We returned to Canada in 1993. I last saw Ken at the 50th NHL All-Star Game at the Air Canada Centre in February 2000. He was his usual self. I am sad he has died and will miss knowing he is no longer with us. My condolences to Pat and his children and grandchildren. Desmond Benfield
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Desmond Benfield posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
I met Ken Taylor in 1986 at the Metropolitan Club in New York during an event hosted by The Canadian Society of New York, an organization in which Ken was a very active member and one which promoted Canada and Canadians to Americans. At the time my older daughter, Karen was a Junior at Middlebury College in Vermont where she was the first student to receive the Honors Scholarship newly established by an anonymous alumnus in recognition of Ken Taylor's role in assisting six Americans in Iran to escape. The award specified that it was to go to a Canadian student. She received the award for two consecutive years. My wife and I were elated about our daughter's good fortune. I recounted this anecdote to Ken when we first met and he was as delighted to hear it as we were. He asked me to have Karen contact him when she was next in New York as he would like to meet her which he did a few months later and took her to lunch to find out more about the Honors Scholarship which he was unaware existed when I initially apprised him that his brave actions and plans resulted in my daughter's good fortune. In the six years I lived in New York I saw quite a lot of Ken Tayor. He was a wonderful person always available whenever needed, caring and compassionate and splendidly generous. I last saw him at the NHL All-Star Game at the Air Canada Centre in 2000. He was his same old self. In my book he will remain unforgettable. My heartfelt condolences go to his wife Pat and his son, Douglas and their families. God bless you, Ken wherever you may be. Desmond Benfield
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Don Wismer posted a condolence
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Dear Pat: Margit joins me in sending our deepest condolences to you, Douglas and family. We fondly remember our dinner with you and Ken at your home in London during our honeymoon in 1969. The professional aplomb with which you and Ken dealt with the Iranian hostages and the aftermath made us all very proud. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Yours faithfully, Don Wismer
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Arnie Smith posted a condolence
Thursday, October 29, 2015
I had two short sessions with Ambassador Taylor and found him to be one of the most impressive people I have ever met. He was friendly, casual , interested and dynamic. In late June of 1978 I flew by helicopter from the Iran Wood and Paper Industries job site on the edge of the Caspian Sea to the airport at Rasht to pick up Ambassador Taylor who was coming to see the project where Canadian families were living and the husbands were building an integrated forest project and training local Iranians to take over the operation. We had an accredited B.C. Ministry of Education kindergarten to Grade 12 school for up to 200 students. and Ken (as he asked me to call him) was to be our feature speaker and to congratulate our small group of grade 12 graduates. The ceremony took place outside and over 300 Canadians attended followed by a buffet dinner.which cost the company over $10,000. Ken mingled and met as many of the guests as possible and had no trouble remembering their names. I have a picture of the ceremony. If you would like me to send it, please send me an email address.
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Karyn and Bryan MacKell posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Dear Dr.Taylor, Such a sad day for all Canadians and especially for you and your family. Bryan and I extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to you, Doug and his family. You have been on my mind all day and my thoughts and prayers go out to you. I just watched the CTV news coverage of the funeral and felt I should let you know. It has been a long time since I worked for you at the Virus Laboratory in Tunney's Pasture. I was just starting my career at that time and I very much enjoyed my job and the research we did with Hep-B. I have thought about you so many times in the last 35 years and want you to know how very sorry I am about your loss. Peace be with you in the coming weeks and months and may Ken rest in peace.
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Jane Maddick (Bracewell) posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Dear Mrs. Taylor, I just wanted to express my condolences to you and your family. Mr. Taylor was someone I had heard about from our father, Mort Maddick, when I was still a teenager in Ottawa in the early sixties. I got the sense from Dad that he knew that Mr. Taylor would do great things and at that time specifically in the Trade Commissioner Service. Later in Dad's life when he was not well, Mr. Taylor kept up contact with Dad and Susan and I were very touched when he attended Dad's funeral. And just to add Dad's grandchildren were really impressed that Grandpa knew Ken Taylor! My thoughts are with you and your family and hope the incredible memories will be of comfort. My thoughts are with you. Jane
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Ann Belej-Corrigan posted a condolence
Monday, October 26, 2015
I had the privilege of hearing Ken Taylor speak at a showing of the documentary "Our Man in Tehran" a few years ago. He was kind enough to take questions from the audience afterwards. I have always admired his courage during the Iran crisis & was thrilled to have had this opportunity with this humble man. We, Canadians are very proud of him.
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Sergio Marchi posted a condolence
Saturday, October 24, 2015
I join Ken's army of friends around the globe, to offer my heartfelt condolences to Pat, Douglas and their family, on Ken's passing. Ken was a star diplomat. He had great flair, a wise mind, and displayed buckets of courage in that Iranian moment. But I believe his greatest strength which I admired, was how modest and caring he was. He always put people at ease, always asked them about their lives, and always had a wisecrack that would endear him to anyone. He was well grounded, despite being a man of the world. We were immensely proud of him, and for those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, we were better because of it. Ken fully enjoyed his fascinating life, and I know he will shake things up for St. Peter upstairs. May he rest in peace. Sergio Marchi
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James Murphy posted a condolence
Saturday, October 24, 2015
A tribute to his profession......An honourable true hero......very rare.
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Bonnie munslow posted a condolence
Saturday, October 24, 2015
I have never met Mr. Taylor but I feel a sadness because of his passing. I'm absolutely certain there are many Canadians like me who were riveted by the events in 1979 during the Iranian hostage crisis. I was a teenager &, to this day, his role in sheltering six Americans is one of my most proudest moments as a Canadian. He appeared to be humble, courageous & very kind. The world is a better place because of him. A true hero. May he rest in peace.
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Drs. Fouad and Isis BISHAI posted a condolence
Friday, October 23, 2015
Dr. Patricia Taylor and family; Ken was someone who meant so much,will live on in so many loving memories. Wishing you peace and comfort at this sad time. Deepest Sympathy. Fouad and Isis Bishai
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J. Douglas Ross, VIC 5T4 posted a condolence
Friday, October 23, 2015
I'll always remember Ken's infectious smile, which I managed to capture in a photo while Patricia and he were standing in Victoria College on October 10, 2007. At that time, I also posted a more complete tribute on my website at <http://www.ross-ter.com/Favourites/People/KenTaylor.html>. In 2007, Ken (VIC 5T7) received a well-deserved honorary degree.
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Leslie and Elizabeth Lee lit a candle
Thursday, October 22, 2015
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You will be sadly missed by us here in Queensland, Australia but will always be in our memories
R.I.P
Les. & Elizabeth
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Ian Macdonald posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Dear Pat, That Ken should be taken from us so soon is a tragedy for all who knew him and worked with him during his outstanding career in the Foreign Service where I was so glad to have him as my assistant in Detroit. We soon became close friends and had many happy times together joking about the External Affairs bureaucracy, protocol and Political Correctness while successfully opening doors for Canadian exporters. He soon demonstrated his geniality and competence, causing me to give him full freedom to develop his talents, an experience, he told me years later, that had a vital influence on his future career. Despite your sorrow, you and Douglas Craig must be exceedingly proud of what Ken contributed to his country and of the key role you played as his lifelong partner. The last time I met Douglas was at his Christening. I predicted then that, endowed with his parents' sterling qualities, he would be an outstanding success in whatever career he chose, and perhaps even follow in his father's footsteps. Jean would join me in sending her sympathies but unfortunately she passed away two years ago. Ian
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Allan Fotheringham posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Patricia: My old buddy Ken will be greatly missed. My wife Anne and I send our deepest sympathies. Allan Fotheringham
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Richard Kohler posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Dear Pat and Douglas and extended family Edwina joins me in expressing our sadness that we've all lost Ken Taylor. From the day I first met Ken in 1972, I have followed his star with growing admiration -- leadership, spirit, humour, compassion, enormous talent and skill, courage, all-round Mensch qualities. We are so sorry for your loss; it's the passing of an era. Wishing you courage and strength in the weeks and months ahead. Rick and Edwina Kohler
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Tracy and Jay Snyder posted a condolence
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Tracy and Jay Snyder made a donation to Kenneth & Patricia Taylor Professor in Foreign Affairs - www.vicu.utoronto.ca
We are so sorry for your loss. Love, Tracy and Jay
