A prayer service was held Jan. 5 for James Robert Taylor, born in Homestead, Pa., and deceased in Rochelle Park on Jan. 1. He was predeceased by his brother Bernard Taylor of South Bend, Ind. and his sister Evelyn Taylor of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and friend of James D. Bordone. Mr. Taylor was a U.S. Army veteran and was an actor in Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway productions as well as several commercials. He formed his own improv company in New York City but his passion in life was as a dedicated teacher, where he taught in both Pennsylvania and in the New York City school system. In the mid 1960s he taught in New Jersey at North Bergen High School until 1968 and later at Ridgefield Park High School where he taught Drama, English and ESL from 1968 to 1989 when he retired. He left behind him a legacy of love and admiration from all his students whom he referred to as “his kids.” After retirement, Mr. Taylor moved to the Seattle area where he lived in a spiritual community for several years. He later returned back east to Union City. Mr Taylor suffered from Aphasia as a result of a fall he incurred in 2003 and became one of the first members of the Adler Aphasia Center, whom he adapted as his second family. In more recent years, he had been a resident at Hudson Manor in North Bergen, Chestnut Hill Assisted Living in Passaic, Bright Side Manor in Teaneck and Bristol Manor in Rochelle Park. Services arranged by the Macagna Funeral Home, Cliffside Park.