Obituary - TAYLOR: Newton Melvin

Newton Melvin Taylor was born on the farm in the Kilmory District on October 4, 1937 to Pearl and Kenneth Taylor.

He attended Kilmory country and Watrous school until grade 8. He then worked as a farm labourer in the area. Later he worked at Morse Sk as a grader operator for the RM and then moved to northern Manitoba to build a dam at Point Du Bois. After the death of his brother in law Neil, Newt moved to Lockwood where he helped his sister Edna run her farm. In 1972, Newt married Eileen V. Kirk and moved to Nokomis. He worked for the RM of Wreford as a grader operator until his retirement.

Newt was involved in sports whether it be as a participant or a fan all his life. He was a manager/coach of his nephew Jim's Sandlot Baseball team for years and enjoyed it immensely as he was a back catcher in his early years. Newt curled for many years as well, competing in weekend bonspiels around the district. He also was an avid golfer and competed in many tournaments around the province with his buddies. He loved watching the local boys play for the Nokomis Chief Senior hockey team and attended all of their home games.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders were Newt's football team and attended several games at Taylor field in his younger years. Right up until his death, Newt did not miss watching a Rider game on TV. He had the opportunity to attend a Rider game in the new stadium with another friend from the Lanigan Lodge a few years ago. It was something he always wanted to do and was very grateful to the Lodge for granting this wish.

Newt loved gardening and keeping his yard tidy. He grew a big garden every year which he gladly shared with friends and family. Newt also canned vegetables and chicken. His sister Edna always said his canned chicken tasted better than hers.

Family was important to Newt. He loved children and would be forever asking how all his nieces and nephews were doing. Newt taught most of his nieces and nephews how to play cribbage. He was always up for a game which he usually won. Those games were filled with friendly competition, conversation and many laughs. Even though his siblings lived miles apart from him, he still kept in contact either by phone or a road trip visit to catch up with what was going on in their lives.

Newt became a resident at Lanigan Lodge in the summer of 2016 which he called his home until his passing on July 27, 2025.

Newt was predeceased by his parents Pearl and Kenneth Taylor, wife Eileen, brother Gordon, sisters Edna and Doreen and nephew Jim.

He leaves to mourn his sisters Margaret Rose and Hellen and numerous nieces and nephews. At Newt's request there will be no funeral. Donations can be made to the Central Parkland Lodge Activity Department in his memory.