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ARMONK, N.Y. ? Erling J. "Bumpy" Taylor, of Armonk, died Dec. 21, 2012, at home. He was 96.
Taylor, an Armonk native, was the son of William J. Taylor and Viola Carpenter Taylor. He attended Armonk and Pleasantville schools.
He served in World War II from 1941 to 1945, primarily in Hollandia, New Guinea, in the South Pacific. Taylor married Alberta "Sue" Bohner on Sept. 6, 1941. They were married 56 years, until her death on July 13, 1998.
After World War II, Taylor returned to Armonk, where he owned and operated Armonk Service Station and Towing Service for 30 years.
Taylor was committed to many community organizations. He was a 65-year member of the Armonk Independent Fire Department, a 65-year member of American Legion Post #1097, and a 33-year member of the New Castle Auxiliary Police. He served as leader of each of these organizations at least once.
Taylor was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the North Castle Historical Society, the Board of Trustees of the North Castle Library and the Armonk Lions Club. For his service to the community, Bumpy received the Pat Bresha Award in 1998, and was named Legionnaire of the Year for Westchester County in 2010. Also in 2010, he was recognized by the State of New York for his 65 years of service as a volunteer fireman.
Taylor is survived by his daughter, Melissa Taylor White of Armonk; a granddaughter, Kate Lindsey, and a great-granddaughter, Lauren Taylor Bowling of Chesapeake, Va. He is also survived by his niece, Jinx Remson of North Salem, his nephew, Ernest Remson and his partner, Deanna Lockwood, of Cortlandt Manor, and many nieces and nephews by marriage.
Taylor had many friends, but especially noteworthy are Fred and Judy Coughlin, who were devoted to him in the last half of his life. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his sisters, Louise Remson and her husband Ernest, Claire Malcomson, and nieces Sharon Johnson and Patricia Remson.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, Dec. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Beecher Funeral Home, Bedford Road, Pleasantville. The funeral will take place at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Bedford Road, Armonk, Friday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Middle Patent Rural Cemetery in North Castle. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to American Legion Post #1097, 35 Bedford Road, Armonk, N.Y. 10504.
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