CORNWALL, Ontario – A Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame inductee and a basketball star in his time has passed away.
Bob Taylor, who was inducted into the hall in the 1970s, passed away on the weekend at age 81.
His son Robert said in an interview his father was made of tough stuff.
“He had a quadruple bypass when he was 54,” he said. “That’s 27 years he had that.”
Robert said his father was sociable and enjoyed a good time as much as the next person.
“He enjoyed his friends and family,” he said.
But the elder Taylor excelled on the hard court. Taylor combining size, finesse, desire, and dedication, was Cornwall’s dominant basketball player during the 1950’s compiling a most impressive record of individual and team honours and accomplishments.
As a junior, he led CCVS to the E.O.S.S.A. Championship in 1950.
Still playing with CCVS seniors, he joined King George Aces in the strong City League, and was chosen the league’s Most Valuable Player as he led the team to the Eastern Ontario Finals in 1952.
Practically unheard of at the time, Taylor was offered and accepted a basketball scholarship at a U.S. university, Clarkson in Potsdam, and was the starting centre on the varsity squad in 1953.
Deciding on a teaching career, Taylor returned to Canada to attend Teacher’s College in Ottawa. There he joined the powerful Ottawa Schaeffers in the City League. In 1955, this outstanding team went on to the Canadian Men’s Senior finals.
Returning to teach in Cornwall, he joined Hodgins Lumber leading them to Championships in 1956 and 1957, and was chosen Most Valuable Player, and won the scoring championship both years.
In 1968, he coached CCVS to the E.O.S.S.A. Junior Championship.
He coached and held executive positions in both minor hockey and baseball for many years including president of minor baseball in 1975.
His funeral will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. at Knox St. Paul’s Church.
