Shelburne, MA – Gordon Elliot Taylor, age 95, of Shelburne died on June 1, 2026 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. He was the son of Elliott and Dorothy (Wheeler) Taylor, attended local schools, graduating from Arms Academy in 1948 and the University of Massachusetts in 1952. Gordon worked with his father and brother on the family farm – Shinglebrook Farm – where Milking Shorthorns were bred, raised, and showed. Gordon served in the US Army from 1956-1958 and Army Reserves 1958-1961. When he returned to Shelburne, he started his work as a local independent insurance agent for Ralph Blackmer at the Blackmer Insurance Agency. Subsequently, Gordon, and his wife Marion, purchased the Agency in 1983 and operated it for the 20 years following.
Gordon married Marion J. Felton in 1961 and they were successful partners in life for more than 64 years at the time of her death earlier this year. They have two sons, John E. (Sherry) of Shelburne, and James E. (Erin) of Annandale VA, and five grandchildren, Emma, Joshua, Matthew, William, and Joseph. He is survived by his brother Kenneth of Bradenton FL and an amazing and wonderful extended family; many of whom knew him as “Uncle Bud”. He was predeceased by his sister Jane L. May.
Gordon enjoyed baseball at Arms Academy and was an avid sports fan, enjoyed gardening, Bridge games, and reading. He was blessed with a fine tenor singing voice and sang with various church choirs and choruses including the Pioneer Valley Symphony Chorus, Arena Civic Theater, and the Buckland Male Chorus. Gordon was an 82 year member of the 1st Congregational Church of Shelburne and served in various offices and committees over those years locally and through the Franklin Association of the United Church of Christ. An active member of Shelburne Grange #68 for more than seventy years, he served in many roles including as President. Regionally, he participated in the Deerfield Valley and Connecticut Valley Pomona Granges, as a Regional Deputy of the Massachusetts State Grange, and as Trustee of the Massachusetts State Grange Educational Aid Fund for more than 40 years. He also contributed to the community as a member of the Franklin Harvest Club, former Shelburne Town Assessor and Rec Committee member, volunteer at the Village Information Center, Hilltown Churches Food Pantry, and South Shelburne Cemetery. For his life’s work, the 2017 Town of Shelburne Annual Report was dedicated in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Massachusetts State Grange Educational Aid Fund, Nancy Blackmer, 77 Burrill Ave, Orange, MA 01364 or the First Congregational Church of Shelburne MA, 21 Church Common Rd, Shelburne MA 01370.
A Celebration of Life and music will be held on July 24th, 2026 at 6:30PM at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne.
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