With a collective, “Bloodyhell” and a great sigh of relief, our patriarch, Godfrey (Goff) Tayler has finally left us on November 2, 2025 to go and be with “his Con” who predeceased him in 2020.

As a family, we would very much like to thank the staff and residents of the Parkvale Lodge for putting up with him over this last year! We also want to thank the nurses of Unit 32 & 33 at the RDRH for their care over his last six weeks. Dad was not an easy man to deal with and it was no wonder after being spoiled by his wife of 62 years!

Goff was born in London, England in 1938 so was a young lad through WWII with it ending when he was just 7. This forged deep memories of sacrifice and survival in him as he survived the “Blitz” which saw his whole neighbourhood damaged extensively. He also remembers clearly his mother shaking her fist at a Nazi fighter jet as it flew through their houses spraying them with gunfire.

During his younger years his passions included motorbikes, motorbikes and more motorbikes! He was a founding member of the “NCNR” motorcycle gang!!! Can you just imagine Goff in black satin pants and standing on the seat of his Vincent Black Shadow? Horrifying!

Most young girls swooned over “that Goff” and a young Miss Britton could not for the life of her understand all the fuss!! That is until their eyes met at the bus stop!! They married on June 6, 1959, forever to be known as their “D-day”

Goff was called into service at the age of 21 and he considered his tour of duty in Her Majesty’s army as a Royal Fusilier one of his life’s proudest times. During these years, and a couple of beautiful daughters later….the dream of “something better” still needled them. Come to Canada the ads said!!! So, in September 1965 the Tayler family arrived on Canadian soil!  With only $500 and two little girls, Dad with his “Fitter & Turner” papers and Mum with her Hairdressing certification, they made a life for us! Guy joined us in 1970 and we were all thrilled! Stelly and I due to the fact that we didn’t have to become “the Tayler Sisters” singing group that Dad was threatening us with.

After immigrating, he continued his service to the veterans of Canada in the Legions of British Columbia and Alberta. His contributions to them, especially Branch #196 in Evansburg, Alberta, awarded him his life membership.  He was always involved in soccer (it’s football dammit! ) as a referee and our family grew with the friendships made because of it. The Smiths, the Aldis and the Bradfords to name a few. He helped form the British Columbia Referees Association and continued his refereeing throughout Alberta and was awarded many accolades which Dad was very honoured and proud of. His greatest accomplishment though, was being known as a fair and honest ref and teaching new ones to be the same!

He will be remembered for his quick wit, sarcasm and fierce attention to detail not to mention his tremendous knowledge of all things historic! Before there was Google, there was Goff! We all regret his never having gone on Jeopardy! We know he is now with his true love, Connie and his first granddaughter, Courtney and will be missed dearly by his family here and abroad.

Estelle & Kevin Andersen, Yvette, Scott & Vaughn Tayler-Nelson, Guy, Angela, Isaiah, Allan, Sam, Malcolm, Charlotte & James Tayler, Sarah, Shannon & Ella Vivian, Loni & William Taylor, Ben, Caitlin, Sawyer & Sadie Tayler.

As per Dad’s wishes, we will gather at the Red Deer Legion Branch #35 for a joint remembrance of both he and Mum on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. We hope you can join us to help celebrate them!

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the following charities in his name Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Canadian Liver Foundation or the Royal Canadian Legion.

Condolences to Goff’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Godfrey Tayler” in the subject line.

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944

 

 

• Date : 2025-11-05
• Location : Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service, Red Deer AB "Locally Owned"