Charles Havelock Taylor (Bud) and May Margaret Taylor (née Deacon) passed away eight days apart at Kentwood Park Nursing Home, Picton.

Bud died on December 8, 2007 in his 91st year, May died on December 16 in her 88th year.

Bud was a mechanical designer/inventor and operated his machine shop business first in Toronto, then at his home in Whiteside, Muskoka, with May’s help for over 25 years. Together they built three homes on Lake Muskoka, the largest one a 5,000-square-foot concrete house with a badminton court in the basement. They will be remembered by their Muskoka friends for the Whiteside Badminton Club and for welcoming everyone who came to visit. May always had the kettle ready for tea with homemade treats on the side.

When Bud turned 70, he decided to build another self-designed concrete house, in Milford south of Picton, Ontario, this time solar-powered — off the grid. He was most happy when he was involved in a building project, creating a custom-designed, one-of-a-kind home. He did it all “his way.”

May and Bud enjoyed an active life for many years, playing badminton and tennis; and cycling and sailing for 15 winters in Florida. They were devoted to each other throughout 64 years of marriage, and after lengthy illnesses they will now be buried together.

They are sadly missed by their daughters and their families: Joan Mandzy (Terry) and Donna Brands (John); grandchildren: Kim Mandzy (Andy Park), Kerri Eaton (Aaron), Wendy Brands (Jim Brown) and Neil Brands (Lindsay Patterson), and great-grandchildren: Bethany and Nicole Eaton. Their youngest daughter Diane Taylor predeceased them in 1970.

A special thank-you is extended to the Milford neighbours: Mary and Rae Guernsey and their nephew, Matt McMahon, who were a tremendous help to us and our parents in their senior years. Thank you also to the many health care people who helped them in their times of need toward the end, especially the caring staff at Kentwood Park and Dr. Burke.

A joint funeral service will be held at Reynolds Funeral Home in Bracebridge at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Visitation will precede the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Interment will follow at the Glen Orchard Cemetery, close to the intersection of Muskoka Rd. 118 and Hwy 169. Then a funeral luncheon will be held at the Port Carling United Church.