Farewell to a favourite cousin

Taylor, a stock accountant at Shell Chemicals, Pt Lisas, was murdered last Friday. His body was found Monday at a teak plantation at St Margaret’s Village, Claxton Bay. He was 34 years old.

Scores of family, friends and acquaintances packed the St John’s RC Church, Church Street, Diego Martin for the celebration and thanksgiving of Taylor’s life. His cousin Denise Lewis Martinez, in giving the eulogy also spoke on behalf of his other cousins.

Taylor was described as the cousin who often e-mailed with daily inspiration, snippets of wisdom or a joke. He often sent photos of his travels abroad or of babies who “joined the family.”

Martinez said family was important to Taylor and he always maintained communication. She said he was the “middle man” between the cousins and rest of the family.

“That way he taught us to value family life more.”

Martinez said Taylor showed the importance of communication with parents.

He was remembered for his sweet smile, infectious laughter, cooking, entertaining friends and family and “hot foot.”

Martinez said he was the cousin who planned one of his overseas travels to coincide with a cousin who was moving to London, “to make sure she got there and settled in safely.”

She ended her eulogy by asking the question, “How do you measure the life of a man?” Providing an answer, she said it could be measured with birthdays, anniversaries and grey hairs. Martinez said, “Chris taught us the most important lesson of all—that is to love.”

In the homily, Fr Hugh Joyeaux said the moment Taylor was born he was blessed by God. He said no one will know the depth of his relationship with God, or when he shared his most personal dreams.

He said, “Surely if he had some premonition that he would depart this life, he would have asked God to bless his parents, the ones who taught him how to love.”

Joyeaux said Taylor may have asked God to be their strength and courage.

Taylor leaves to mourn his parents Annette and Thomas, aunts and uncles—Arline Clarke, Doris Hordatt, Priscilla Moreno, Rosemary Lewis, J Millian, Errol Lewis. After the service his body was taken to the St James Crematorium, Long Circular Road.