Taylor, Bradford R.

PETERSBURGH, NY-Bradford R. Taylor, 58, died peacefully surrounded by his family and dear friends on Thursday, September 26, 2013. He is survived by his wife Gundula Schmidt, son Adrian Schmidt-Taylor, mother Jean Taylor, sister and brother-in-law Nancy Taylor Baumes and Alan Baumes, sister-in-law Brigitta Schmidt, brothers- and sisters-in-law Bodo and Lidy Schmidt and Uwe and Christa Schmidt, and several nieces and nephews; he is predeceased by his father Gerald Taylor and many beloved dogs and cats.

Brad was born in Troy, New York, and grew up in western Massachusetts and Bergen, New York. He graduated from Byron-Bergen High School and SUNY Brockport. He was a career public servant, working first in the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services and then, for many years, in the New York State Assembly, where he developed legislation and programs to assist the elderly, and a bill tracking and GIS system for demographic research and policy analysis. In retirement, he assisted his wife Gunda in many aspects of her translation business, enjoyed visiting the theater, canoeing and exploring the beautiful countryside. Brad was a kind and generous man, loyal to family and friends, a master cook and a craftsman who designed his own eco-friendly home.

A gathering to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, October 12, at Grafton Lakes State Park, Deerfield Pavilion, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. Donations in Brad's memory may be made to the Petersburgh Public Library, 69 Main St., Petersburgh, NY 12138 or The Food Pantries for the Capital District, 32 Essex St. Albany, NY 12206.