About Doug

Doug Taylor

CANADIAN AUTHOR AND ARTIST

 

Goodbye Doug Taylor

09AUG

Unfortunately Doug Taylor passed away on Monday July 27th in his 82nd year after a courageous battle with cancer.  His obituary in the Toronto Star can be found HERE.

As his friend, neighbour and executor, I promised to find a permanent home for his 900+ posts, where all his research and anecdotes could be retrieved and recycled by future researchers. 

In the meantime, I will keep his email address [email protected] active to facilitate the transfer and to keep his friends advised of any post-Covid celebration of life. I will also approve comments that look appropriate to me but won’t be giving feedback as Doug would always do.

My condolences to those of you who knew Doug well.  I know we will all miss his entertaining blogs.

Valerie Eggertson

Historic Toronto is Alive and Well

30JAN

In the last post “Goodbye Doug Taylor” I promised to find a permanent home for Doug’s 900+ posts and what a home I have found!

There were actually a number of volunteers who were willing to come to my rescue and I want to thank them all. But I believe Doug would be happy with the final choice. blogTO has agreed to house his site going forward … not only accommodate his material but to re-post, over time, parts of it on its own site with attribution to TaylorOnHistory.com. Doug, who relished teaching anyone who would listen about the history of Toronto, would be tickled pink that the output of his interests and efforts will be recycled to a broader and basically younger audience.

When you next log onto TaylorOnHistory.com you will notice changes.  With the help of blogTO and a Historic Toronto follower by the name of Matt Bremer, the site has been modernized, reorganized and, to some extent, decluttered.  But readers can be rest assured; his own words and material have not been changed (spelling mistakes and all).  The “About Doug” section is the one where this post and the previous post will reside going forward.

And, for those who continue to ask, there will be a Celebration of Life as soon as a joyous event can be held with mask-less fun-loving family and friends.

Valerie Eggertson, friend, neighbour and executor

13 responses to “Goodbye Doug Taylor”

  1. Kay McGinnis August 9, 2020 at 2:50 pm – Many condolences to Doug Taylor’s partner, family and friends. His death is a loss to the city. I have learned so much from this blog and am so grateful for Doug Taylor’s wonderful work. How good it is to know that you are working on keeping his amazing and invaluable archive of posts available. Thank you, and please let me know if this initiative needs support in the future
  2. Gerry Tsuji August 9, 2020 at 3:06 pm – So sorry to hear this news about Mr. Taylor. I hope he knew how much his entertaining and informative posts were eagerly anticipated by many of us. RIP Mr. Taylor.Thanks to the executor for ensuring that Mr. Taylor’s work will find a new home.
  3. NocturnalTwins August 9, 2020 at 3:35 pm – My condolences to his family and friends. I’ve always enjoyed reading his blog and learning more about Toronto’s history
  4. Andrew Mead August 9, 2020 at 9:44 pm – I didn’t/know him well at all but I think he has an admirable public legacy remaining in his writing. I offer my condolences and I wish the executor of his estate success in achieving the goals he has set forth.
  5. Sashine B. August 10, 2020 at 9:27 am – I’m very sorry to read of Doug’s passing. I looked forward to reading his very interesting and informative postings about Toronto. If ever I had a question about details in one of his articles, Doug was very good about supplying information. Thank you for letting us know, Valerie, and for keeping Doug’s work online. May Doug rest in peace.
  6. thetorzorean August 10, 2020 at 11:21 am – Doug Taylor leaves behind a great gift to the city of Toronto and to all those who care for its past. I praise the executor for making sure that his legacy will not be forgotten. 
  7. Susan Hammond August 12, 2020 at 5:03 pm – I’m just starting a journey of research into my street in Trinity Bellwoods and was excited to find this site. I’m so sad that I came a little too late but his research will be wonderful to read.
  8. Audrey Fox August 13, 2020 at 10:31 pm Dear Valerie,Thank you for including me in this list. I am the former editor of “the York pioneer” and a couple of times used Doug’s articles in the journal. I think you once attended a launch with him.I was so sorry to read your news.Best wishes, AudreySent from my iPhone> 
    • Doug Taylor August 15, 2020 at 12:07 pm Audrey
      Indeed I did attend a launch with him once. The tayloronhistory.com site will exist as it does currently for the next 6 months (until the WordPress subscription expires). When final arrangements have been made, I will post where the material will reside after that.
      Valerie
  9. Dave Phillips September 25, 2020 at 2:37 am – I am very sorry to learn that Doug has passed on. His Blog is a wonderful source of information and brings back many memories of times past. He was an educators educator! My sympathies and deepest respect. Dave
  10. MARTIN L KALINNovember 11, 2020 at 8:48 pmSorry to hear this. I recently discovered Doug’s great work while researching Yonge Street as a pop culture subject for my students. RIP Doug. I wish I could’ve met you. 
  11. Sherif November 19, 2020 at 7:46 am – So sad to read about Doug’s passing after reading through his great, informative, and enlightening page. May he rest in peace.
  12. Linda December 29, 2020 at 4:47 pm – Condolences Valerie and friends of Doug. What a wonderful legacy Doug has left for Toronto archives. Yes, I would like to know where Doug’s posts may be found in the future. I was gifted with several of Doug’s books which are treasures indeed, especially his witty comments.