John Taylor obituary and funeral arrangements
We have sadly learned of the death of John Taylor, who played for LB Buzzards in division 4. John had many friends and contacts in the league.
John's team-mate Heather Wilcox has confomred thatJohn played for 8 seasons in the league, initially with St Christopher Crunchers and in more recent years with LB Buzzards. He was always so positive and encouraging. A great team player and such a warm person always seeing the good in people - just a lovely guy. Although struggling with illness over the past year, John was keen to play when he could and continued to be a great support to the rest of the team when unable to.
Having checked through the league website, I see that the Crunchers played in division 6 and in 2017-18 John was top of the division’s averages after 14 of 18 matches without losing a set. This was the best performance outside the Premier division, for which John received the Ray Jones Trophy award for that season. In the following season, 2018-19, John again finished top of the averages, playing 12 of 17 matches and only losing once, to the player who finished second in the averages! John’s performance helped the Crunchers to promotion to Division 5 where, in the 2019-20 season, he again finished top of the averages among team regulars.
When the league recommenced in 2021-22 after the pandemic, John joined the Buzzards in division 4. Although the team were relegated in 2022-23, when John only played a few matches, he helped the team to win promotion back to division 4 in the following season. John’s final match for the Buzzards was in late November, winning 2 of his 3 sets.
John’s funeral will be on Wednesday 28th May at 12.30pm in the North Chapel at West Herts Crematorium, High Elms Lane, Garston Watford WD25 0JS (tel. 01923-673285). Those who knew John are warmly invited to join the family for refreshments and buffet afterwards at Bricket Wood Social Club, Oak Avenue, Bricket Wood, Herts AL2 3 LQ.
John's daughter, Julie, has set up a Just Giving page for Histiocytosis UK, in memory of John. https://www.justgiving.com/page/remberingjohntaylor.