Daryl Aubrey Taylor
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Daryl Aubrey Taylor at his home in Toronto, age 78. Born February 26, 1943 in Newcastle, Australia, Daryl left home to seek his fortunes, travelling the world to learn about theatre, history, and pubs. He studied at, and received a degree from, the Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London and finally settled in Toronto to teach English Drama, eventually becoming Head of English at Chinguacousy Secondary School in Brampton, ON. Daryl loved being a teacher, but he also sustained a life-long love of theatre and acting. He has appeared in numerous commercials and independent films and was a key part of the community theatre scene in Toronto, including as President of Eastside Players, and appearing at Hart House (U of T), the Curtain Club (Richmond Hill), Shaw in the City (Toronto) and Alumnae Theatre (Toronto). One of his proudest roles was his 2.5 year run as Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap at Toronto’s Truck Theatre.
Daryl was a devoted husband to Marie Tralka, his wife of 40 years, proud step-father to Philippe Maurais (Amanda Glasbeek), and doted on his much beloved granddaughter and fellow acting aspirant, Sasha Glasbeek. He will also be much missed by his sister-in-law, Irene Tralka, sisters Yvonne Mar (Dick), Beverley Lyons (Robert), and Elizabeth Davis (Alan), and his many nieces and nephews in Australia. When safe to do so, a celebration of life will be held for his large circle of good friends in Toronto, and his ashes will be returned to Australia.
In lieu of flowers, Daryl and family request donations to Young People’s Theatre https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.org/support-us/make-a-donation-2/
Deborah West ( Giffin)
I remember “Mr. Taylor” as my grade 11/12 Theatre Arts teacher back in the early 70’s at Applewood Heights SS in Mississauga, he was one teacher that I have fond memories of, I think because of him several students aspired to do acting.
I’m very sorry to hear of his passing, my condolences to his family.
Marie Tralka
Thank you for remembering Daryl,
and yes he was a great teacher and still was till the end Our Granddaughter will be going to ESA to become an actor
Wayne Fairhead
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Daryl. It’s been a while since we met in person but have connected on social media over the years. Fond memories of our days in the 70/s directing plays for the Sears Ontario Drama Festival (now the NTS Drama Fest). Peaceful flight back to our common land of birth. RIP mate.
A donation in your name has been made to YPT.
Marie Tralka
Thank you very much
Lilly DeWitte
We will always remember Daryl.
Our condolences to you, dear Marie and your family.
Love from Lilly and Simon
Lilly DeWitte
So very sorry to hear about Daryl.
We will always remember his smiling face.
Our condolences to you Marie and his family.
Love, Lilly and Simon
harry glasbeek
We were truly saddened by Daryl’ s death. We came to know Daryl when Phil and Amanda became partners. He was not only an actor who played diverse roles but a man of many parts. We enjoyed his obvious love of words, spoken and written. His wide knowledge of English literature made him a delightful source of information. His interests were not just cerebral, He was a keen follower of a number of sports and a great raconteur. The stories he shared with us about his early life in Australia made us laugh, even as they made us feel a little nostalgic. Marie and Daryl spent a couple of short vacations with us and we had a warm and joyous time. We will miss him sorely. We offer our deepest sympathy to Marie as she grieves her loss and want to assure her that we will be thinking about her and Daryl with deep affection.
Sandra and Harry Glasbeek.
Marie
Harry and Sandra we were so lucky to share the love of a perfect granddaughter with you. Your support throughout these difficult times have been very comforting. Thank you for everything
John M Snith
Daryl and I were the only two men on our 16-member course at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama at the end of the 1970s. We decided on Day One that it was important that we got on – so skipped the preliminary sessions and headed for the pub to find out!
We remained great friends from that day this. Both teachers, we staged student theatre productions at the Brighton Festival here in England and at the Toronto Festival , pooling our student talent as The Dolphin and Lighthouse Company. (Other friendships were created between our students and their parents , some of which continue to this day. )
Through him Barbara and I met not only Marie but others in Toronto who have also become dear to us over so many years.
Daryl was a good mate and I will miss him. We both send our condolences.
John M Smith
Marie
Dear friends, John you forgot to mention the leopard experience, I heard it many times and would like Daryl to tell it me again. Thank you for your friendship
Denise Glasbeek
I met Daryl through Amanda and Phil, when invited over as a ‘christmas orphan’. Marie and Daryl welcomed me into their home and festivities with warmth and good cheer. At this and every subsequent meeting, Daryl’s true gift for story-telling always shone through. Whether sharing from his bank of historical and literary knowledge or narrating a funny anecdote, he was always an engaging and lively actor in our midst. For this and many other reasons, Daryl will be missed. I offer my deepest sympathies for this loss to Marie and all family.
Marie Tralka
Thank you for remembering Daryl,
and yes he was a great teacher and still was till the end Our Granddaughter will be going to ESA to become an actor
Sheila Singer
Dear Marie & Family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of Daryl.
Though words can do little to ease the pain, my thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sadness.
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.”
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.
Sheila
Yvonne Marr
Dear Marie,
Your deep sadness is felt so much with the loss of Daryl, my little brother, and our most loved family member of all here in Australia. Daryl had that beautiful quality of making everyone feel special, it was so lovely being in his company and that will never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed. Love to you Marie, and Daryl’s much loved Canadian Family.
Dick Marr
Daryl Aubrey Taylor.
As Daryl Taylor’s brother-in-law, I have had a long association with Daryl which spans over 60 plus years.
In Maitland and Newcastle, Australia, we never really lived far apart and Daryl was often a visitor to our home to engage with his sister, Yvonne, and his four nieces and nephews. Because of his ability to easily connect with children, he became an uncle who our children loved to see walking through our door.
On so many occasions, Daryl and I retreated from the rush and clamour of the world to a quiet venue and attempted to solve the problems of the country and the world, discussed the value of performing arts to society and our ambitions in life. All was assisted with some refreshments which, on some occasions became a little too dominant; a fact to which we admitted in our more mature years. Because of Daryl’s generous nature and intelligent techniques in dealing with any matters controversial, we never had even one moment of passionate disagreement in all of those sixty years.
Daryl’s attention to detail and organization resulted in many holidays with Marie, Yvonne and I to Australian destinations and exotic countries, cities and villages which we would never have experienced without his selfless and generous application.
In a personal sense, I have and always will regard Daryl, not as a brother-in-law but as a brother without reservation and as a deeply loved friend.
Dick Marr.
Anne and Bob Kotyk
Whenever we were in Daryl’s company we found him to be a great listener while being a fascinating raconteur as well as a true gentleman. Marie will miss his loving gentle nature as will we all. We hope that strong memories of their loving relationship will sustain Marie now and in the future.
Arleen McCallum
I first met Daryl at Applewood Hts. S.S. in 1974. We have been friends since then and the last time we spoke was mid January.
Daryl was always happiest entertaining, and my fondest memories of him are when he would spontaneously burst into recitation of a poem. A group of us would be discussing something random when suddenly Daryl would cry …”Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds. Ah no, it is and EVER FIXED MARK…” The delivery would be loud, Churchillian, complete with robust gestures, and usually the entire poem. This could occur at a party, a bar, a restaurant — surprise was an important factor. And the larger the audience, the better.
To Marie and Daryl’s family Robert and I hope that soon your happy memories of Daryl will provide great comfort. Our condolences.
Marie Tralka
I miss him so much
ken chase
Dear Marie
I was so sorry to hear your news of Daryl’s passing. To you and family my deepest condolences. Even though we have spent most of the last fifty years or so apart Daryl was the same never changed. As I said before he was our best man and my best friend. I shall be thinking of you in the coming months as you come to terms with your loss. Stay strong and remember all the wonderful times you spent together. A man who enjoyed life and made a lot of friends along the way. He will be sadly missed by many. Love Ken.
ken chase
Dear Marie
I was so sorry to hear your news of Daryl’s passing. To you and family my deepest condolences. Even though we have spent most of the last fifty years or so apart Daryl was the same never changed. As I said before he was our best man and my best friend. I shall be thinking of you in the coming months as you come to terms with your loss. Stay strong and remember all the wonderful times you spent together. A man who enjoyed life and made a lot of friends along the way. He will be sadly missed by many. Love Ken.
Eugene Spanier
Many great memories indeed of teacher get-togethers at this or that pub where Daryl played a major role in providing a congenial, mirthful atmosphere, as well as keen insight into the plight of man enhanced by pithy or not so pithy excerpts from the many productions he had performed. His jovial spirit will live on in all of us who’d shared those fun and fine times.
Marie Tralka
Merci Eugene
Alice Colody
My Dearest Marie – My Best Friend.
I cry and pray with you. I am so sorry for your loss – Daryl will always stay in my heart as a great friend, curious traveler, and intellectual I was privileged to meet.
I will always remember Your glorious Christmas Wedding at St. Basil’s Catholic Parish at the University of St. Michael’s College. You both looked so happy.
I do not know how to fully express my sorrow and sadness. Marie, please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your husband.
Love
Alice