Gregory John Taylor
January 25, 1975 — December 25, 2015
Gregory John Taylor was born on January 25, 1975 in Denver, Colorado to Melvin and Margie (Reinig) Taylor. Greg was baptized in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. He made his First Communion and Confirmation at Shrine of St. Anne Catholic Church in Arvada, Colorado.
Greg attended Fitzmorris Elementary and Arvada Junior and Senior High Schools in Arvada, Colorado. He graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins with a Liberal Arts degree. He had been studying for a Masters degree in History at Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, New York.
Greg was a teacher. Following college graduation, Greg and his dog McGriff moved to Houston, Texas. He went on to teach at under-privileged schools in Harlem, New York and Newark, New Jersey. Greg made his students his life work, helping them gain the rigorous education necessary to receive scholarships to top high schools. As a coach, he founded the golf team at his Newark school and brought lacrosse to inner-city students.
Greg enjoyed reading, music, wine, and all sports especially golf, soccer, hockey, baseball, and tennis.
Greg held a deep affinity for Iowa. He spent many childhood summers near Harlan eagerly experiencing life on the farm with Grandma Margaret Reinig and Aunt Irene; uncles and aunts: Gerald and Loanne, Leonard and Rose Mary, Clarence and Jann, and Ed and Betty; and many Reinig cousins.
Greg loved many things in life, but none more than his wife, Alvina. They met in 2007 and were married on July 21, 2012 in the backyard of Alvina's parents in Diamond Bar, California. Together they lived a love story all their own with their cats Venus and Serena.
Greg died after a three-year battle with a rare form of cancer, synovial sarcoma, on Friday, December 25, 2015 in Brooklyn, New York at the age of forty years and eleven months.
Greg is survived by his wife Alvina, his parents, brother Gary and wife Debbie, sister Jennifer Moss, father and mother-in-law Evan and Elena Ling, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. He will be missed.
Greg attended Fitzmorris Elementary and Arvada Junior and Senior High Schools in Arvada, Colorado. He graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins with a Liberal Arts degree. He had been studying for a Masters degree in History at Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, New York.
Greg was a teacher. Following college graduation, Greg and his dog McGriff moved to Houston, Texas. He went on to teach at under-privileged schools in Harlem, New York and Newark, New Jersey. Greg made his students his life work, helping them gain the rigorous education necessary to receive scholarships to top high schools. As a coach, he founded the golf team at his Newark school and brought lacrosse to inner-city students.
Greg enjoyed reading, music, wine, and all sports especially golf, soccer, hockey, baseball, and tennis.
Greg held a deep affinity for Iowa. He spent many childhood summers near Harlan eagerly experiencing life on the farm with Grandma Margaret Reinig and Aunt Irene; uncles and aunts: Gerald and Loanne, Leonard and Rose Mary, Clarence and Jann, and Ed and Betty; and many Reinig cousins.
Greg loved many things in life, but none more than his wife, Alvina. They met in 2007 and were married on July 21, 2012 in the backyard of Alvina's parents in Diamond Bar, California. Together they lived a love story all their own with their cats Venus and Serena.
Greg died after a three-year battle with a rare form of cancer, synovial sarcoma, on Friday, December 25, 2015 in Brooklyn, New York at the age of forty years and eleven months.
Greg is survived by his wife Alvina, his parents, brother Gary and wife Debbie, sister Jennifer Moss, father and mother-in-law Evan and Elena Ling, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. He will be missed.
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