A life well lived for Stratford man

Merv Taylor - A much loved father and grandfather

"A life well lived."

This sentence, written by Mervyn (Merv) Taylor's grandson Shane, perfectly summarises the life of the Kaponga-born man who passed away last month.

Born on June 8, 1927, Merv spent his early days on his father's dairy farm on the Upper Duthie Road, Mahoe. He was named after Mervyn Chong, a Chinese man who used to work for Merv's father, Hugh.

He and his wife Margaret had three children, and seven grandchildren.

Merv attended Mahoe school before going on to Stratford Technical College. He studied by correspondence due to the family moving to the Spotswood area.

Merv had a range of jobs when he first left school, starting work as a telegram boy for the Post Office, which during World War II, meant he delivered the wounded notifications to families of soldiers serving overseas. Later on he described this experience as traumatic.

Later he worked on the railways as a fireman before moving into merchandising, working first for Newton King then to Napier to work in another store.

While he was there he saw an advert for a retail manager for a store in what was described as being a "progressive North Island town". He discovered the town was Stratford, and the store was Masters - later to become Masters Mitre 10.

He worked there for 32 years and in this time became greatly involved in the community around him. He didn't just join clubs, but became actively involved with them, serving as treasurer or president at times.

Before Merv died, he recorded his memories in a biography through a service provided by Hospice Taranaki. In this he says "if it had a committee, I was on it, and probably treasurer". This is no exaggeration.

Merv was a vestry member for the Anglican church in Stratford, as well as being on the scout committee and the home and school committee at Stratford Primary School. He served as treasurer of Senior Net, the Stroke Group, the Stratford Golf Club and the Stratford / Avon Bowling club. He was a member of the Stratford Lions Club, president of Rotary and was awarded life membership of the Stratford Jaycees and the Stratford Golf Club.

Merv was many things to many people. A fireman on the railways, a telegram boy, a retail manager, a community member willing to give his time and his talents where needed, but one of his proudest achievements was his family.

"We are lucky and blessed to have them," he recalled in his biography. To his family Merv was supportive, caring and proud of their achievements. Simply put, he was "a very good grandad," says one of his granddaughters, Anita.