Meredith G. Taylor, known to family and friends as Mert, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, January 8, 2016. Mert was born May 24, 1925, in Rialto California, to parents Meredith G. and Irene Taylor.
He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Natalie Costanzo; brother-in-law’s John, Sal, Tom, and Pete Costanzo; and special nephew John Costanzo.
Mert was raised in the Midwest. His parents followed highway construction work. He entered the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas as a heavy equipment/crane operator. He was stationed in Iceland as a Sergeant. After being discharged in 1946, with two fellow veterans, Mert purchased a Harley Davidson 80 flathead to make the trip from Mississippi to Glendale, California to visit his parents. After arriving in California, Mert acquired a job in Long Beach with Wonderly Construction as a heavy equipment operator.
Mert became best friends with the neighbor’s sons and daughter. There he met the love of his life, Connie Costanzo. Connie’s brothers nicknamed him Mert. A couple of years later, he was asked to transfer to Fillmore to manage the construction yard for the tri-counties. Mert and Connie were married June 1954.
After living in Fillmore for a few years, Wonderly Construction closed their Fillmore yard. That’s when Mert and Connie decided to stay and open their own business. In 1961, M.G. Taylor Equipment started with Mert operating his D6 bulldozer and Connie managing the bookwork. He provided custom farming services in the Santa Clara Valley and serviced oil companies in constructing new drill sites, new roads, pipeline right-of-ways and maintenance of existing well sites in Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Los Angeles Counties. The company is truly a family business in that Mert and Connie’s children continue to manage the business today. The company celebrates 55 years in business.
Mert was faithful to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where he made close and personal friends. He was a member of Grange, American Legion, Fillmore Club, Los Padrinos Club, and Piru Petroleum Club. Mert loved animals and enjoyed horses. He attended the local roping arena and cattle roundups. With a local group of men, he would pack in on horseback and camp at the Sespe Hot Springs. Mert started taking his son at age six. He took memorable vacations with the family.
For the love of Fillmore and the surrounding area, Mert volunteered his time and equipment toward many community projects such as the Fillmore Little League Baseball field, Shiells Park, and Fillmore BMX Park to name a few.
Mert is survived by his loving wife, Connie; son, Greg Taylor of Fillmore; daughters, Natalie (Don Tello) of Fillmore, Cynthia, (Tom Wise) of Bakersfield, and Rita Taylor of Fillmore. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Brooke Taylor, Jannelle Taylor, Grant Taylor, Tom (Chantel Wise Jr.), John Wise and Ceresse Wise; great grandson, Tom Wise, III; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mert will always be remembered as a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle and Friend. He was a man of his word. He never talked about anyone much less his accomplishments. His priority was to make a living for the family. He’ll be remembered for his humor, his love for the outdoors and his sincerity.
Rosary services will take place on Thursday, January 21, 2016, 7:00 PM, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1048 W. Ventura St., Fillmore. Funeral Mass will also be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Friday, January 22nd, at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will follow immediately after the Mass at Bardsdale Cemetery, with military honors presented by the United States Army.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mert’s name to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com