Norris Edward Taylor

Norris Edward Taylor passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital on Sunday, September 9, after a long hospitalization. He was 85. Born in Easton on October 3, 1926, he was the son of the late George Samuel Taylor and Laura Elizabeth Chance. Norris started working at a very early age. The family owned a grocery store on West Street in Easton, where he worked after school and on weekends. He started his first private enterprise in 1943, clearing and hauling trees to build Easton Airport. He sold and delivered firewood and other items as soon as he saw the need created by the manpower shortage during World War II. At age 18, he enlisted in the Army. The war ended while he was en route to the probable invasion of mainland Japan. He was redirected to Korea as part of the occupation force. There he served as Sergeant of a motor pool. In 1948, he returned to Easton where he started his construction business on Route 50 at its current location. Route 50 was just one lane at the time. In 1949, he married Helen Joyce Walls. Together, they built their contracting business, employing close to 100 people at its peak. Some of his employees have worked there for more than 50 years. He operated his business six days a week, 12 hours a day, up until his hospitalization. Norris did much to help the needy. He would give anyone a job. He was field director for the Salvation Army for a few years during the eighties. He organized and sponsored many Thanksgiving dinners. He always helped the homeless, donating temporary shelter or longer term housing. He worked with many churches and organizations for this cause. For many years, he was the night and weekend contact person for the police to provide the needy with temporary emergency shelter. He helped establish and support a Thursday men’s prayer breakfast in Easton, which has been meeting since the early 1980’s. All who knew him, considered him a friend and will miss him dearly. He is survived by his children, Lorraine T. Claggett, Patricia T. Goodman, and Norris E. Taylor, Jr.; their spouses, Laurence Claggett, Jeff Goodman, and Shelley L. Taylor; six grandchildren, Katie, Sarah, Laura, Caroline, Michael and Matthew; a sister, Sally A. Barnes, and her husband, Paul N. Barnes, of El Dorado, MD; and a brother, Stanley W. Taylor, of Woolford, MD. A visitation will be at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 S. Harrison St., Easton, MD 21601 on Monday, September 17 from 5 -8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 100 Peach Blossom Lane in Easton on Tuesday, September 18 at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Spring Hill Cemetery.

Norris Edward Taylor

October 3, 1926 - September 9, 2012