Gerald M. Taylor

Gerald M. ?Jerry? Taylor, 81, of 9 Brooks Avenue Newport, a radio broadcaster and photographer who chronicled local news for more than 40 years, died Sunday, May 26, 2002 at Newport Hospital Newport, RI.He was the husband of Adele Baker Taylor. Born in Newport, RI on December 9, 1920, he was the son of the late Andselm F. and Victoria Carpentier Taylor.A native of Newport he served as a photo-journalist in the U.A. Army Air Force during World War II. Prominent on the local news scene Taylor was involved with publishing newspapers following his military discharge in 1947, later broadcating his Newport Radio Express news program from his home studio until his retirement in 1985. The half hour news program was followed by a 30-minute call in opinion show or interviews with guests who spanned governors to bishops, and yachting captains to film and publishing celebrities. He was elected to the original charter commission and was a charter member of the Newport Kiwanis Club, later changing his affiliation to the Newport Lions Club. Through his radio program he raised funds for an early rescue wagon and to send Mayor Humphrey H. Donnelly and Mrs. Donnelly to Japan for the Black Ships Festival. As a newport stringer for CBS and later ABC news he filmed the revival of the Americas Cup trails and races, and numerous other yachting events, the sinking of the Andrea Doria and the US Bennington explosion. He filmed presidental visits of Roosevelt through Nixon. As a photographer for United Press and on a free lance basis his work appeared in Sports Illustrated, Atime, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Women?s Wear Daily. Taylor also published features and photographs in the Providence Journal. During construction of the Newport Bridge, Taylor produced construction photographs for Bethlelem Steel. Undaunted by heights he almost fell through on of the 400 foot towers on a final photo shoot the day the bridge opened, resulting in only a bruised knee. He leaves his wife of 54 years, the former Adelle Baker, and four sons Gerald M. Taylor Jr. of Newport, RI, Christopher A. Taylor of Portsmouth, RI, Mark F. Taylor of Westport, CT, and a daughter, Holly Taylor of Williamstown, MA. A fourth son Paul Michael Taylor, who died in 1999. He was the brother of t he late A. Francis Taylor and Madeleine Carney. His funeral will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2002, at 9:00 AM from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM in St. Josephs Church, Broadway And Mann Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River. Donations in his memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Services Of Newport Bristol Cos, 1184 East Main, Portsmouth, RI 02871..