Family and friends will gather Saturday to celebrate the life of Al Taylor, and they’re sharing this remembrance with the community:

Alvin A. Taylor, known to everyone as Al, was born on September 11, 1930, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and passed away on September 10, 2026, in Tacoma, just one day shy of his 96th birthday.

Al lived a long and colorful life, the kind of life that could fill a room with laughter before he even said a word. He was loving, funny, and generous, and those three words only begin to tell the story. Al had the rare gift of making people feel welcome, whether he was telling a story, sharing a joke, or giving someone the kind of steady kindness that never asked for anything in return. He had a comedian’s timing, a gentleman’s heart, and a knack for turning ordinary moments into memories people would retell for years.

He served his country in the Army, where he learned discipline, resilience, and probably a few stories he knew better than to tell at the dinner table. After that, he worked with the Seattle Water Department, helping do the kind of honest work that keeps a city moving even when nobody is thinking about it. Later, he was associated with the Seattle Mariners, a connection that surely gave him plenty to smile about, because Al understood that life, like baseball, has good days, bad days, and the occasional wild pitch. Through every chapter of his working life, he brought reliability, humor, and a steady presence that people could count on.

Al was also connected with the Masons, an organization that reflected his values of fellowship, service, and commitment. He believed in being part of something bigger than himself, and he carried that spirit into every part of his life. He was the kind of man who showed up, did the work, and somehow made the whole effort feel lighter because he was there. He did not need a spotlight. He was perfectly content to be the one making sure everyone else was comfortable, laughing, and taken care of.

Family was at the center of Al’s world. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley, his daughter Linda, and his granddaughter Sarah. Their absence was deeply felt, yet the love he shared with them remained part of his story always. He is survived by six daughters, twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren, each of whom carries forward a piece of his spirit. His family was one of his greatest joys, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, humor, and generosity that will continue to echo through generations.

Al had a way of making people laugh without ever trying too hard. He did not need a stage, a microphone, or a punchline written on a napkin. He could turn a simple conversation into a performance, and he knew that the best comedy often came from truth, timing, and the ability to laugh at life when life got a little too serious. He was the kind of man who could tease you, help you, and then make you laugh about the whole thing before you had time to complain. That is a rare talent, and Al had it in abundance.

Those who knew him will remember his warmth, his wit, and his generous heart. They will remember the way he could brighten a room, the way he could make a hard day easier, and the way he made people feel seen and valued. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and storyteller. Most of all, he was a man who lived fully and loved deeply.

Alvin A. Taylor leaves behind a life well lived and a family well loved. Though he has taken his final bow, the applause remains in the hearts of all who knew him. His laugh, his kindness, and his unmistakable presence will continue to be remembered with affection, gratitude, and more than a few smiles.

His life will be celebrated Saturday, October 3, at 1 pm, at the Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW, West Seattle).

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to [email protected])