Gregory (also known as Greg) Taylor was born at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois to his mother, Phyllistine Carter (deceased) and father, Alvin Taylor (deceased).  Greg's family moved to the "Motor City" - Detroit, Michigan in 1951.

Gregory's education included his graduation as valedictorian from William E. Higginbotham School in 1963, and a few years later graduated from Mumford High School in 1967.  He later attended and studied at Oakland Community College (OCC) – Highland Lakes campus and graduated in 1970 with an Associate Degree of Science in Medical Technology.  Greg was also the 1 ^st black baseball player to play on the OCC - Highland Lakes team, winning two (2) letters, despite having to deal with various acts of racism against him.  Gregory in his career, worked as an intern at a checkup laboratory in Southfield for 4 years, and worked for Northwest Medical Lab in Southfield for 3 years.  Afterwards, Greg found employment with the City of Detroit, having worked at the Detroit Health Department for 26 years.  He retired from the City of Detroit after his 26 ^th year to care for his mother, Phyllistine and later in life, his younger brother, Phillip Brown.

Greg's joys, interests and accomplishments during his lifetime included:  A love and passion in his appreciation of music; particularly jazz, and dance music.  Greg had an extensive record/music collection.  Singers such as Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone, Tina Turner and Donna Summer were his favorite singers.  Greg also loved dance music, and in his prime, would dance on the dancefloor non-stop for hours; often leaving a club soaked but happily exhausted from the great joy he would get from dancing to all the dance hits of the time.  He often would attend annual outdoor musical jazz-fests; usually taking his brother, Phillip with him and any friends who wished to join him.  Greg enjoyed movies, television, baking, science-fiction, comedy, documentaries, Star Trek, plants and gardening, bowling, tennis, softball, hockey, racquetball, baseball, reading and learning continuously.  Greg was a loyal and avid New York Yankees (baseball) fan, often personally attending games when they visited Detroit, or watching them on televised games.  Greg had a great love of sports.  Often as a player he was competitive, but always displayed heart, sportsmanship, skill, leadership, and team spirit.  Greg also loved to laugh – often with such a heartiness and passion.  His laugh was infectious, loud, and carried great distances while providing great joy to anyone who heard it.  On a rare occasion, Greg could be masterful at playing an innocent prank on a loved one.  Amongst Greg's greatest loves and gifts would be his ease of conversation, consistently displaying objectivity, empathy, honesty, intelligence, compassion and empowerment – such a beautiful combination to witness or be a benefactor on the receiving end of his gifts. Greg always had the gift of gab, but also was an excellent listener and a genuine, supportive friend.  Greg could talk to you for hours, oftentimes talking into the early morning hours of the night.

Greg also served communities by working as a trained crisis counselor at Common Ground of Royal Oak for 4 years.  He also served 4 years on the board of Midwest Aids Prevention Project (M.A.P.P.) as a liaison to get inner city groups the needed education and prevention supplies from M.A.P.P. and the State of Michigan.

Greg bowled as an original member and served as a league officer (Secretary) of the BTI

Bowling League, which at one time was the largest mixed bowling league in the United States with 70 teams.  Greg bowled with the BTI Mixed League from 1976 through 2020 – having won 6 league championships on 6 separate teams!  Greg accomplished the amazing sporting feat of bowling 3 perfect "300" games and 2 near perfect "299" games, all between the ages of 50 through 60.  Later in Greg's life at the age of 65, he went back to OCC – Highland Lakes to pursue a degree in massage therapy.

Gregory has been survived by his brothers: Eugene Brown, Phillip L. Brown, Martin (Marty) Valentine (brother from another mother), his honorary sisters: Shirley Luckett Rogers, Maryann Lenon, Precious Everett, Alyson Moore, and Hazel Austin, 3 nephews and several cousins.

Greg has been a loving angel to those of us who were blessed to know him here on earth.  Always blessing us with his gifts of love, joy, laughter, empathy, loyalty and wisdom.  Heaven was never missing its angel named Gregory Taylor, he had been with us all along right here on earth!  Now, heaven is opening its gates to welcome the return of a much beloved angel.  We will always miss you Greg, but we take comfort in knowing that you will always walk with us in our hearts!

Rest always with our love for you in peace, Greg.

YOUR LOVING FAMILY

There will be no funeral.  Gregory's wish was to be cremated, which took place on Thursday, July 15, 2021.  There will be a private memorial dinner at a later date.  Donations are welcome to be made in Gregory Taylor's name to the Royal Oak branch of Common Ground.  The easiest way to direct a donation to the Royal Oak branch is by phone at 248-456-8150; donations are also acceptable online at www.commongroundhelps.org/donate .