Hugh Kirk Taylor. 24/07/1916 – 15/05/2015.
Hugh passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Friday, May 15, 2015, after a stay at Evergreen House, North Vancouver. Hugh was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Leila, in 1997, his sister Daphne Strzalkowska in 1993, and all of his cousins. He is missed by his oldest daughter Frances (Louis) Fuchs and his grandson Sean (Shelley); by his son Chris (Maggie), his grandsons Wes (Kim) and Colin (Kim) and great-grandchildren Callie, Liam, Linden and Audrey; by his daughter Moira (Al McNeill); by his daughter Marguerite, granddaughter Diana Kirsh and great-granddaughter Alice; and also by his youngest daughter Jill (Steve) Harrington and sons Ezekial and Justin. He is especially missed by his companion Inge Worthington and her sons Peter and Martin. He is further missed by his foster daughter, Monique Coates; by his niece Zosia Strzalkowska; and by his niece Marysia (Ahmad) Khalessi and great-nephews Mandali (Eriko) and Shahin.
Hugh was born in London, England, to Fred and Frances, in the middle of the First World War. He barely survived the Spanish flu epidemic that followed. After excelling in school (his father was a headmaster), he started at the Royal School of Mines, London University, in 1934. After graduating with a BSc. he started his career as a mining engineer in Spain, but the Civil War broke out and he returned to England. In 1937 he sailed for Cape Town and then on to the gold mines of Johannesburg. He later worked for Anglo-American on the copper mines of Northern Rhodesia until after the Second World War. Returning to Johannesburg, he met and married his first love, Leila Roche, in 1947. After several mining ventures and several children he returned to Anglo-American and the Rhodesian Copperbelt. The family lived in many mining towns as promotions came his way. In 1967 he and Leila left Zambia and brought their five children, his mother-in-law Olga Roche and the family dog to a new life in West Vancouver.
His new executive position with Placer Development, specializing in feasibility evaluations, entailed visiting mines throughout the world. After his retirement he continued as a mining consultant, and he and Leila travelled extensively. After Leila’s death he lived with his new love, Inge, also travelling much with her. His personal interests were vast, including everything in the natural world, and he was an absolute font of knowledge. Because of his intelligence and enthusiasm, this interest in the natural world has been passed on to his children and grandchildren, a legacy that will never be forgotten.
Always a polite English gentleman, Hugh is lovingly remembered by his friends and relatives throughout the world.
A special thanks to the caring staff at Evergreen House. You are all so kind.
No flowers by request.
A celebration of his life will be held at Pastameli’s Restaurant, Caulfield Village, 5367 Headland Drive, West Vancouver, on Sunday, June 7th, at 2:30 p.m.