Funeral services were held in North Carolina for Thomas Gerald Taylor, one of the two first African-American firefighters in the Jersey City Fire Department, and a former president of the local branch of the NAACP. Born in Hoboken, he passed away April 2. He served as a firefighter for 29 years, and retired at the rank of captain.
Capt. Taylor also served as president of the Jersey City branch of the NAACP for 12 years. During his tenure, the branch grew in both membership and service. The branch was represented at all national, regional and state NAACP conferences and conventions. Under his leadership the local branch held the first Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Breakfast over 20 years ago, a tradition that continues to this day. The Tom Taylor Affordable Housing Development was also formed, making housing available for those in need.
He also was one of the founding fathers of the Afro-American Historical Society Museum. Under his leadership, the Jersey City branch of the NAACP started the Public Safety Awards, presented yearly to deserving police and firefighters from the community. Capt. Taylor was a strong believer in keeping his people and community informed, aware, and involved. One of his favorite sayings was, “Remember freedom is not free.”
He was an elder at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church, Jersey City, where he served as superintendent of the church school for 10 years. “Captain Taylor”, as he was fondly called by friends, was a member of several boards of directors, including the Hudson County United Way, the Puerto Rican Action Community Organization and the Hudson County Urban League, where he served as Senior Vice President from 1980 to 1982.
He was the former President of the Greenville Hospital in Jersey City, where he also served on their board of directors. Capt. Taylor was a founding member of the Vulcan Pioneers, and served as the first Vice President of the Northeast Regional International Association of Black Professional Firefighters.
In 1994, Capt. Taylor relocated from Jersey City to Charlotte, N.C., with his wife of 57 years, Audrey Hale Taylor.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Dorothy Bell and Audrey Gardner. He is survived by his wife Audrey; three adult children: Dr. Charles R. Taylor, a professor at New Jersey City University; Jersey City firefighter Wayne Taylor and his wife Adrienne, and Adrienne Hall, a nurse residing in North Carolina, and her husband Tony Hall; seven grandchildren, including Dwayne Taylor, a Jersey City firefighter; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by a sister, Dr. Louise Taylor, Washington, D.C.; four nieces, two great-nieces, and many loving cousins and friends. Services arranged by the Heritage Funeral Home, Indian Trail, N.C.
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