Bradford R. Taylor

Petersburgh – Bradford R. Taylor, 58, died peacefully surrounded by his family and dear friends on Thursday, September 26, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Gundula Schmidt, his son, Adrian Schmidt-Taylor, his mother, Jean Taylor, his sister and brother-in-law, Nancy Taylor Baumes and Alan Baumes, his sister-in-law, Brigitta Schmidt, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Bodo and Lidy Schmidt and Uwe and Christa Schmidt, and several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his father, Gerald Taylor, and many beloved dogs and cats.
Brad was born in Troy, NY, and grew up in western Massachusetts and Bergen, NY. He graduated from Byron-Bergen High School and SUNY Brockport. He was a career public servant, working first in the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services and then, for many years, in the New York State Assembly, where he developed legislation and programs to assist the elderly and a bill tracking and GIS system for demographic research and policy analysis.
In retirement he assisted his wife Gunda in many aspects of her translation business and enjoyed visiting the theater, canoeing and exploring the beautiful countryside. Brad was a kind and generous man, loyal to family and friends, a master cook and a craftsman who designed his own eco-friendly home.
A gathering to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, October 12, at the Grafton Lakes State Park, Deerfield Pavilion, between 1 and 4 pm. Donations in Brad’s memory may be made to the Petersburgh Public Library, 69 Main Street, Petersburgh, NY, 12138, or The Food Pantries for the Capital District, 32 Essex Street, Albany, NY, 12206. For online condolences, please visit danielkeenanfuneralhome.com.