Robert Edmonds “Stub” Taylor died peacefully Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 at the age of 85 with his family present.
He was born July 4, 1934 to Timothy and Verna Taylor and was raised and attended the schools in Kingfield. He was very athletic and played all sports.
He is survived by his significant other for 30 years, Carol McLaughlin, five children and their spouses; MaryAnne and Randy Goodwin, David and Patrice Taylor, Christopher and Holly Taylor, Catherine and Scott Fast, and Jill and William Harrison. He had 14 Grandchildren, Adrian Heatley, James Goodwin, Cody and Caleb Taylor, Lillian and Avery Taylor, Ella, Abraham, Phoebe, Solomon, and Teresa-Eden Fast, Taylor, Grace, and Brinley Harrison. He had five great grandchildren; Braylon and Olivia Heatley, and Berlynn, Brady, and Beauden Blake.
He is predeceased by his wife Eleanor “Poochy” Taylor and his infant son Robert Taylor, Jr.
After high school Stub worked summers at Pierce Pond Camps where he was a Registered Maine Guide. He married his high school sweetheart “Poochy” Parsons in 1955. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army but returned home after basic training when the Korean War ended.
Little did he know that his career would actually start in 1945, at the early age of 11 years old, when Stub and other Kingfield boys tagged along with a local store owner, Amos Winter, to explore, climb, and ski Bigelow Mountain. When Flagstaff Lake was developed by CMP, it blocked the skiing access to Bigelow, forcing Amos and the “Bigelow Boys” to explore Sugarloaf for skiing opportunities.
In 1950, Amos and the Bigelow Boys and members of the Sugarloaf Ski Club starting cutting the access road and the first trail called “Winters Way.”
The first lift was installed in 1953 when Stub, then only 19 years old, became the first lift attendant and also cared for anyone who was injured during skiing. This started what became a 50+ year career for Stub as the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Patrol Director. During his career he was nicknamed “Mr. Sugarloaf,” was a Certified Instructor for the National Ski Patrol and the Professional Ski Patrol Association. He received the “Man of the Year Award” and was inducted into the Maine Ski Hall of Fame.
In 1996 he was honored by hundreds of friends, family and Sugarloafers at a retirement party, for his years of Ski Patrol Directorship at Sugarloaf. He continued to work at Sugarloaf for several more years in the First Aid Clinic, where he used his medical experience, knowledge, and skills for triaging injured skiers.
Stub also enjoyed all sports, hunting, fishing, and gardening. He was the pitcher on the local Fast Pitch Soft Ball Team that traveled all over the state until he was 53 years old. Stub encouraged all of his children to be active in sports, and he skied and played with them and went to all of their games and activities.
Stub’s legacy will continue on because he touched so many peoples’ lives. From being devoted to his wife, Eleanor, of 34 years, loving his five children and 19 grandchildren, to his successful 50+ year career at Sugarloaf, to enjoying retirement and companionship with Carol for 30 years, and finally, down to his last four years, at the Sandy River Nursing Facility, where he was loved and cared for like family. He always demonstrated a high moral character, excellent work ethic, faith in God and Country, and with a caring attitude that will be remembered and missed by all of us who knew him, Dad/Grampa/Stub.
Funeral arrangements to be announced.
Rest easy my friend. It was a pleasure and an honor to work under your leadership on that big old mountain. You are missed but will never be forgotten. You will always be Unit 1
You are and will be dearly missed. Many days together on patrol feel like yesterday. Many road trips with our team. Rest In Peace my friend, you have left a legacy few will ever achieve.
Maryanne, Cathy, Holly and all the other Taylors- my sincere condolences. His legacy will live on through his wonderful family.
Jay
I feel honored to have met this man. Always humble, kind and willing to share the stories of his life. A life well lived!!! He will be greatly missed. Sending love out to his family❤
Stub was one of few significant, and influential persons in my life, and I will sorely miss him. A gentle, caring , thoughtful man… a rare breed then, and now. A true honor and pleasure to have known Stub… my fellow Patroller, my Mentor, and my Friend.
Jerry Webb (one of “Stub’s Boys”)
New Bern, NC
Stub was the best. Whether you were a seasoned patroller or a rookie, when Stub suggested you take a run with him, everyone knew they had just been honored and were about to learn a few things about how a patroller was supposed to take care of the Mountain and our guests. Stub gave us his best and we tried to live up to his expectations.
Fair Winds, and maybe six inches of new powder for radio unit 1, the first and the best.
This is Robert Lewis Taylor son of Glenville & Verna (Wilber) Taylor.
To the family – know he’s free now. The last few years have not been easy.
Stub will find peace on the snowfields of heaven Rest in Peace #1 you are Mr Sugarloaf.
Heartfelt condolences to all!
Missed dearly…
Always remembered…
Truly loved!💞☮️
Rest In Peace Stub, it was a joy knowing you and hearing all your stories.
Unit 1… Clear
What an honor to have worked with this man, and everyone else who followed in his footsteps.
To the Taylor Family,
May you find peace and comfort during this difficult time. May you cherish the memories in your hearts forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
RIP STUB!!
Amos, and now Stub, were what Sugarloaf was all about, it is difficult to put their marker on the mountain in proper perspective
I had a couple of vacant class days mid week while at FSC and had a chance to patrol at the mountain
I remember Stub mentoring me re getting a “loaded” toboggan down the hill safely
Stub
Thank you for all you did for me. Your influence has kept me in a patrol jacket for 51 years and still patrolling. My thoughts are with you and your whole family.
Thank you Stub. You, your family and the “old” crew are a big part of my life…what goes on the road stays on the road…remember that Ski Patrol handshake.
Maryanne, My condolences on the passing of your father. May he enjoy riding the snowy mountains in the sky.
Cherish the healthy memories you have of Stub. He was a wonderful man. My sympathies go out to his family and friends.
RIP Stub. I so enjoyed getting to know you and listening to your stories. I learned so much about Sugarloaf and patrolling. I know you’re skiing the snowfields now!
Stub Taylor: The name alone is legendary,: to Sugarloaf, to Maine, and to the history of alpine skiing.
In 1969, while in College, I asked Stub if he had any room on the patrol. He looked me over and said “put your skis on and come with me”. He was a great mentor and always admired his skill and quiet demeanor.