Frederick Charles Taylor, Jr

Frederick Charles Taylor Jr., (80) passed into the loving arms of the Lord on October 21, 2024. He was born May 19, 1944 to the late Frederick Charles and Elizabeth Virginia (Wieck) Taylor in Canton, Ohio while his father was serving in the U.S. Army in England during WWII. Fred became the fourth “Fred” in the Taylor family. He graduated from Glenwood High School in 1962 and the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in Architecture and a Professional Practice Achievement Certificate in 1968. During his college co-op work and later internship he worked with several architectural and general construction firms in Canton, Ohio and Boston, Mass. He became an Ohio Registered Architect in 1974 and became an associate with Marr Knapp Crawfis Architects in New Philadelphia, Ohio. In 1975 he joined his family’ construction business, Taylor Construction Co. in Canton, Ohio, later Taylor & Associates Ltd and Fred Taylor Construction Inc., which began in 1932 with his grandfather, Frederick W. Taylor, and continuing under his father and uncle, Frederick C. and Thomas K. Taylor, and finally under himself as sole owner. The business lasted 64 years until 1996. 

Two of Fred Jr’s great-grandfathers, were also well known general building contractors in Canton: Great Grandfathers Frederick Taylor worked on the original Timken home on North Market Avenue and Charles Martin Kilgore built the original Aultman Hospital. Fred then began working with Nelson Building Corp in Norton, OH as an architect / estimator, and in 2002 was employed by John Patrick Picard, architect in Canton, Ohio as senior architect, until retiring in 2010. Fred first began working in general building construction during high school summers and continued working in general building construction and architecture during a period of 50 years. The family business was well known for its design/build and general construction services, doing commercial, industrial, religious and residential work in Northeast Ohio. Owing to his rich heritage, extensive and varied experience, Fred was involved in many hundreds of projects over his lifetime as an architect and builder. His former affiliations include Calvary Presbyterian Church in his early years, Church of the Savior United Methodist, Church of the Lakes (currently), The American Institute of Architects, Rotary Club of Canton, Rotary Club of Plain Township, William McKinley Lodge #431 F&AM, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Canton, and Canton Elks Lodge #68. 

Fred was always very close to, loved and enjoyed spending time with all of his family and his many relatives and friends. He enjoyed the outdoors and many camping, fishing and hunting trips and vacations with his family and grandparents. He was a very patriotic American and grew up in Canton’s Edgefield neighborhood with lots of great friends. Fred enjoyed sports and many activities and wonderful adventures in his “Old Neighborhood” as well as scouting, summer boys’ day camp. He was a drummer in the Glenwood High School marching, concert and dance bands and loved music. After college he married his loving wife, Cheryl A. (Sneary) Taylor, on May 17, 1969. He and Cheryl enjoyed gardening, yard work, home remodeling and construction projects, fishing, cookouts, camping, lodging, traveling and exploring, and boating at scenic places, in Ohio, New England, northwest Michigan and the Lower Peninsula, South Walton, Florida, and the Muskoka Lakes region in Ontario, wherever there was water, a beach, rocks, forests, wildflowers or mountain majesties, and their condo at Peek’n Peak Resort. His favorite places were always places of great beauty where his senses of peace and calm were nourished--to last a lifetime. He also enjoyed his dogs and cat, feeding and watching birds, reading, listening to music, watercolor art, several collections, family memorabilia, story writing and genealogy, Canton and local history, HO gauge (1860-1930 era) model railroading, Atwood Lake family cottage, yacht clubbing, sailing and motor boating on Atwood, Tappan and Salt Fork lakes. He treasured all of his time spent with his daughter, Wendy, son-in-law, Jamie, and grandchildren, Brandon & Everly and great-grandchildren. His life was very full, loved and enjoyed, well-lived and blessed, and he would not have changed a thing. 

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Susan C. McCarty, and granddaughter Marley Johnson. 

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Cheryl; daughter, Wendy L. Johnson (Jamie Johnson); grandson, Brandon Adorisio (Brittany Adorisio); granddaughter, Everly Johnson; two great-grandchildren, all of Canton; and sister, Sarah E. Daniell of Port St. Lucie, FL.; and many nieces and nephews.

Following his wishes, cremation will take place. A private family Celebration of Life will be held later. Condolences and special memories of Fred can be shared with his family online at www.heritagecremationsociety.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Church of the Lakes, 5944 Fulton Drive NW, Canton, OH 44718, phone 330-499-8972 www.churchofthelakes.org, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital c/o Frederick C. Taylor Memorial Fund #24170873, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, phone 800-822-6344 or the charity of your choice.

Heritage Cremation & Burial Society

303 S. Chapel St.

Louisville, OH 44641

330-875-5770