Mr. Francis E. Taylor, Sr., 90, of St. Mary's City, MD, died Friday morning, November 6, 2009 at Washington Hospital Center.

He was born in Ridge, MD on September 15, 1919 to the late Lamar Q. Taylor and Estelle Clarke Taylor.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, Loretta A. "Tiny" Taylor whom he married on June 7, 1947 at St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown, MD. Mr. Taylor is also survived by his children, Frank E. Taylor (Susan) of Leonardtown, MD Robert F. Taylor (Linda) of St. Mary's City, MD, Marie B. Tarleton (Brian) of St. Mary's City, MD, Bertie T. Birch (Joe) of St. Mary's City, MD, David L Taylor (Terri) of California, MD and Bernard A. Taylor of St. Mary's City, MD. Mr. Taylor is also survived by 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Mr. Taylor was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph W. Taylor and Lawrence Taylor and a grandson, Brian Tarleton, Jr.

Upon completing his education at St. Michaels High School in Ridge, MD, Mr. Taylor advanced his education by attending a technical school in Baltimore, MD. During World War II, he was the foreman of a large crew constructing the Liberty ships in Baltimore for the war effort. In 1950, Mr. Taylor, along with his wife, Loretta, co-founded Taylor Gas Co., Inc. in Lexington Park, MD and at the time of his passing, held the title of President Emeritus. Although retired, he still enjoyed coming into the office on a regular basis. In 2002, Mr. Taylor was honored by the Mid Atlantic Propane Gas Association for his lifetime achievements and contributions to the propane industry.

Mr. Taylor's entrepreneurial activity resurfaced in the early 1970's when he and several other businessmen from Lexington Park, MD pooled their resources and established one of the early Maryland State chartered, savings and loan institutions in St. Mary's County. Mr. Taylor, in cooperation with the other businessmen, recognized the difficulty for many people in the community to obtain mortgage financing to purchase a home. From this need, Maryland Capital Savings and Loan was born.

Mr. Taylor loved St. Mary's County and his community and as such was an active member of many civic and community organizations. He was a charter member of the United States Navy League, Patuxent River Council. He was an active member of the Lexington Park Lions Club for 57 years, the Knights of Columbus in Ridge, as well as a charter member of the local chapter of the Elks Club. Earlier this year Mr. Taylor was honored, along with his wife, Loretta, by the Lexington Park Rotary Club with Rotary's "Service Above Self' Award. This award was given in recognition for their many years of community service to St. Mary's County. At that ceremony, Mr. Taylor was also named a Rotary, Paul Harris Fellow. At a ceremony in 2004, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were honored by St. Mary's Ryken High School as "Pillars of the Community".

In addition to civic organizations, Mr. Taylor also served on various county committees and commissions. He served on the first St. Mary's Nursing Center Board of Directors. In 1968 he was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to serve on the newly formed St. Mary's County Metropolitan Commission. He served as a Metropolitan Commissioner for over twenty years, twelve of which he served as the Chairman. The Metropolitan Commission's Marley-Taylor Treatment Facility is named for Mr. Taylor and Mr. Mike Marley, a former director of the Commission.

Mr. Taylor was a former president of the St. Mary's County Young Democratic Club. During the United States Presidential race in 1960, Mr. Taylor presided at a dinner given for Mr. Robert Kennedy when Mr. Kennedy campaigned in St. Mary's on behalf of his brother, Presidential Candidate, Sen. John F. Kennedy. Mr. Taylor remained active in the political arena his entire life. He served as Treasurer for Mr. John Bohanan's first political campaign in 1982. In May of 2009, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were among the honorees for Democrats of the Year at the Democratic Club of St. Mary's annual dinner.

Mr. Taylor enjoyed life and the many occasions he had to be with family and friends. He and his wife were always on the go attending social functions and fund raising events. He loved music and dancing and never missed an opportunity to "cut a rug" on the dance floor whenever the band would strike up a tune. He also had a wonderful singing voice and loved the hymns at Church. Mr. Taylor enjoyed his poker club and especially looked forward to his daily coffee and lunch at his favorite restaurant, Linda's Café. Nothing was more treasured by Francis than time spent with his family. He will be missed by all who knew him; and he was known by many.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at Holy Face Catholic Church in Great Mills, MD from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with prayers recited at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at Holy Face Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Trinity Church Cemetery in St. Mary's City, MD.

The pallbearers will be Scott Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Kellan Tarleton, Lawrence Taylor, Jr., Paul Colonna and James Raley.

The family requests that donations may be made to Health Share of St. Mary's or to a charity of one's choosing.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.