Slideshow from Pat & Gerry's 50th Party

Here are some pictures from Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary last month.  It was a great night and we thank all of you who took part in one way or another.  We wish everyone could have joined us, but for those of you who couldn't, this slideshow will give you an idea of the event.

If you double click on the pictures, you will see them at full size.  The video also has an option for full screen,  it's just not as clear as I was hoping it would be.

Welcome To 50 Years With Pat & Gerry

June 23, 1962 was the day that Patricia Ann Kelley from Sioux Falls, South Dakota married Gerry Vincent Taylor of Joplin, Missouri at St. Jerome's Church in Chicago, Illinois.  The rest is an on-going history.


This blog is a celebration of our Mom & Dad's marriage as they approach their 50th Anniversary.  We look forward to sharing personal stories from family and friends who have known them over the years.  Our parents don't know about this blog yet, we will show it to them on their anniversary.

In the meantime we thought we would begin this blog with a video that my brother and I put together for their 25th Anniversary.

Happy Anniversary from Tim

Mom and Dad,

I am very proud of you.  You’ve not only shown me how a good marriage should be, but of how to progress in life with a partner.  When I was growing up, I got daily examples of respect, kindness, honor, generosity, grace, and compassion.  I remember Dad coming home from work everyday and first greeting Mom with a kiss.  Just the other day I knew something was strange in my own house as I had been home from work for probably 15 minutes and hadn’t kissed Elizabeth yet. I have and still continue to learn from your examples.

I love how you’ve demonstrated how to be a team.  I knew you always had each other’s back.  Even though it was an infrequent occurrence, I remember that if I had upset Mom, I’d be sure to hear about it from Dad later.  I recently thought of you when I was having a talk with my boys (Stephen and Matthew).  In Management Speak it would probably be called a “Parental Opportunity for Excellence”.  I was telling them that one day in life they’ll probably have girlfriends, and if they really care about them, they’ll feel protective of them.  I said you won’t like it if anyone makes your girlfriend unhappy, and I’m telling you that Mom is my girlfriend so don’t make her unhappy. You always were boyfriend and girlfriend and continue to exhibit that youthful energy of love today.

I love how you keep your sense of humor with each other, and continue to be able to have a really great time in each other’s company.  The sounds of laughter often filled our house.  When Mom and Dad would entertain, I remember the howling sounds of “The grown ups” and wondering what could possibly be that funny?  You taught us the value of friendship and how to treat others with respect.  You always made sure others felt welcome in our house and often went out of your way to help friends and family alike.

As many of you know, both music and sports held a special place in our Taylor household growing up.  If you were lucky, you’d hear the beautiful sounds of my Mom playing the piano and singing.  Did you know that she used to set egg timers in an attempt to try to get me to sit down and practice piano as well?  Dad would wake up the house, and possibly the neighbors and the dead too, to the sounds of Ravel’s Bolero on a Sunday morning.  We knew that it was both time to rise and shine but also to start the day with passion!    We were avid sports fans.  We not only watched and attended most types of sports but played them as well. I learned how to balance hot coffee while driving because in the days before drink holders in the car, Mom and Dad would shuttle us to early weekend morning sports practices.  They were always there for us and always very supportive of our endeavors.

So, you’ve made it look easy, though I know it always hasn’t been.  You make a fifty year marriage look like a prize worth having and worth working for.  I’m proud of you, proud to be your son and look forward to doing my best to continue to look for ways to make you proud today and into the future.

Here’s to your perfect game!  Congratulations and I Love You. 

  

Happy Anniversary from Greg

Dear Mom and Dad,

It’s hard to believe that this picture of us having dinner with you on the occasion of your 25^th wedding anniversary was taken 25 years ago.  Tim and I were both single at the time, but Yvonne was with us that night and 2 years after this picture was taken, we would begin our own journey together as Man and Wife.  Two years from now, God willing, Yvonne and I will be celebrating our 25^th anniversary with our two sons.  Maybe we’ll go to the same restaurant?  The Tam-O-Shanter is about a 5- minute drive from where we live.  Since Gabriel will be 11 and Michael will be 10, we won’t have to worry about much of a bar tab that night. 

The stories of our marriages have a common beginnings that both relied on chance encounters, or God’s plan if you will.  You both left the smaller Midwestern towns that you grew up in to move to the big city of Chicago, where you happened to live in the same apartment building.  Yvonne and I didn’t grow up in small Midwestern towns but we “happened” to meet by chance or by plan after I was coming home from a job interview in Santa Maria, CA.  The man I interviewed with told me about a TV station in Santa Barbara so I stopped there to drop off my resume and fill out an application.  The beautiful girl who was filling in at the front reception desk was Yvonne who was working as an assistant to the Production Manager.  She passed along my information to her boss and by the time I arrived home, I had a call from the station asking to schedule an interview. In each situation you think about any slight variance where our meetings may never have happened…but they did and they continue to be gifts to give thanks for everyday.

I give thanks that I have you as my parents.  You have been great role models as parents, a married couple and just good people.  Everyone hopes that when they get married that it will be a partnership for life.  I felt confident when I got married that that would be the case because I had a great example to follow.  But as we all know, it’s not that easy.  Just because you had the good fortune of meeting your perfect match doesn’t mean that your future will forever travelled on a bed of roses.  Your path took many turns: Chicago, Peoria, South Bend, Fridley, Cranbury, Mississauga, Middletown, Westlake Village and now Lincoln.  Up-rooting family and friends for a career is tough, but you made it look easy and somewhere in there lies the keys to your success.  The ability to grow and change, to be flexible, to take on challenges as a team, to have a sense of adventure and most importantly to have a sense of humor. 

This blog that Tim and I created for your 50^th anniversary has been a fun project.  I know that many of your family and friends wish that they could join you on this special day, but they are here with you in spirit.  I'm just glad that Yvonne, the boys and I will be here with you in person.  

We love you and wish you many more years of happiness together!

Happy 50th Anniversary from Angela Taylor

Happy Anniversary from Greg Taylor of Savannah

Happy 50th Anniversary from Mary Lou Mendez

The first time I met Pat & Gerry was at their lovely home in Westlake Village just after Greg and my daughter Yvonne were engaged.  They hosted a beautiful get-to-know-you brunch and engagement dinner that we'll always remember.  It was a wonderful way to meet the family.

Over the years, Robert and I celebrated some of life's milestones with them like Greg and Yvonne's wedding, the birth our grandson Gabriel, his dedication at church and a birthday celebration every now and then.  We've spent some really enjoyable and memorable times together. 

Wishing you a very Happy 50th Anniversary and many more memorable moments.

Mary Lou Mendez

Happy Anniversary and Much Love from Sue Stroka

I have many memories of fun times at the Wood Dale ranch with Ed & Olive both before and after Gerry showed up on the scene.  He definitely added to the good times.  I really do wish the two of you could have lived closer by instead of all over creation most of your years.  50 Years!  That is amazing and while the two of you have your own joy to share, I hope you realize that the witness of your lives has had an influence on many, many others.  We have had good times at reunions in Sioux Falls, visits in Chicago and were lucky enough to stop by Cranbury on our pop-up camper trip out east when Donna, Mike and your boys were adolescents.  Time flies.

I am so grateful that you are my cousin, Pat.  Both you and Gerry "chose well" and have been through tough times, struggles and very good times.  The good news is that you have both weathered it all very well, amazingly well.  On your anniversary day I will be praying for you both that you have a wonderful celebration with those who are able to be with you and that you will continue to be blessed by our dear Lord.                 

With much love,

Sue Stroka

Happy 50th Anniversary from Ray & Lorna Andrejewski

It has been our pleasure to share a meal, conversation, many laughs, a good bottle of champagne/wine and friendship with Pat and Gerry for many years now! Over the years, both Pat and Gerry have shown great friendship to all of us in our Dinner Group. They have been there for us through the good times and some not so good times! They are both genuinely beautiful people with kind and loving hearts! We are blessed to have them as friends!

Happy 50th Anniversary!

Lots of love,
Ray and Lorna Andrejewski

Happy 50th Anniversary from Terry Taylor

Dearest Gerry & Pat,
Congratulations on your 50th Wedding Anniversary.  You are probably the first of both families to reach this milestone.  I hope you both have 50 more years of bliss!

I could write a book about my fondest memories with you both but I will try my hardest to keep this short and sweet.

Gerry was the first drummer in the family.  All you have to do is to go to the "music room" in the basement of our family home, a.k.a. "602", and read the graffiti on the walls which still probably exists to this day.  I think Gerry coined the following:  Cool-man, Jive, Daddy-O, just to name a few.  I will always remember Gerry's love of jazz and all music as he still does to this day.

My first recollection of Pat was at "602" for a cocktail party.  If I remember correctly, I was the "clean the ashtray kid."  I think this was also the first time I ever held a new baby -  Greg!  What a thrill - I was an Uncle!

In short some of my fond memories:

• Trip to Chicago - amazed at all the tall buildings
• Peoria, IL - helping move into the new home office
• South Bend, IN - oh, that golden building, a.k.a. Notre Dame

Following those trips as a youngster, many years went by until we met again.

New Jersey - I was selling Bike Lokr's throughout the eastern U.S. and what a great trip this was.  I rode the train to NYC with Gerry, went to see his office in the World Trade Center, toured NYC with Tim & Greg, slept in the basement and otherwise had the trip of my life, until....

Westlake Village, CA - Greg & Yvonne's wedding, family reunion, otherwise the best trip of my life with Gerry, Pat and family.  Please refer to video.

Lastly, I want to thank you both from the bottom of my heart for always being the most kind, thoughtful and giving people I have ever known.  You have never failed to send birthday cards and well-wishes for an occasion.  I love you both very much and, once again, Happy 50th!

Much love,

Terry

Happy Anniversary from Dan & Debbie Conley

Happy Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Taylor

We wish you both all the happiness and joy in the world.

Dan and Debbie Conley

 

Congratulations from Donna & Norm Wasz

Congratulations Pat & Gerry!

Our memories with you go back a long way to our days in Mississauga and the Newcomers Club.

We'll never forget your (40th?) birthday Pat, where we kept arriving at your house, uninvited, at 15 minute intervals to surprise you - it worked!

We enjoyed our marathon bridge weekends with you & the Ruzickas and our infrequent but memorable visits.

Hugs & best wishes to the "Golden Couple"

From,

Donna & Norm Wasz

Happy Anniversary from Linda & Bob Patterson

Gerry and Pat,
We wish you a most special day.  You are dear friends and have enriched our lives in many ways.  We are sorry we could not be with you in person, but we are with you in heart!


Love,
Linda and Bob

Howdy and Happy 50th Anniversary from Raenell & Calvin Ruzicka

Howdy from Texas to our dearest Pat and Gerry, in celebration of your

                              50^th Wedding Anniversary !!!

We are so happy that 36 years ago you were lookin’ for a couple from Texas to befriend, and we are still excited that you chose us.

Recall how this first meeting took place?  Mutual friends of the Taylors’ were going to the same dance and they arranged for Calvin to escort Pat. Gerry would join in the fun later, and Raenell was holding down the fort at home

in Texas.

Once we were settled, we too, filled many evenings with Bridge Club,Supper Club, Theatre, Ladies Bridge, Socials, Dances, Shopping Excursions,Book Club, and celebrated Canadian and U.S. Holidays.   The Taylor’s had been there, done that, and together it was glorious fun.

Once we (the girls) decided that the girls would plan a night on the town, make the reservations and surprise the guys, and all they would know ahead of time was when to get there and if you needed special attire.  Then the guys would

have their turn. Girls would go first, and we planned an evening at one of the beautiful theatres in downtown Toronto. We had hors d’oeuvre on the patio, with

dinner following, the program - the Alvin Ailey Dancers. The guys did not appreciate the blending of the ballet, jazz, Black African, hip-hop. The guys were not appreciative of the dancers’ talents and, refused to stroll the lobby at inter-

mission.  Maybe Gerry and Calvin felt out of place, not having a purse to carry like so many of the men.  Seems like one or both nodded and slept  during the last act. Oh well, they were quiet. 

When it came time for the boys to plan an evening for the girls, you can imagine that it was a trip to a strip club.  Soon after this, our outings seemed to be less often and the

rotation of planning was halted.

In passing, we all know how quick Pat is to grab her camera, and the many photo albums she has amassed.  There is one that maybe titled, “Sunday in Springtime at the Toronto Zoo” or it may be titled “Sex in the Sudan” .  Ask, she may still some 5 X 7’s  in stock.

It seemed that with all the fun and laughter, and a few bubbles down, we four thought we were the funniest thing  that could still walk. That’s when it was time to pull out the

favorites.  Gerry was the self appointed MC, and he would call on Pat as’ Patty Bell, tell your joke about the 2 guys on a sheep ranch, Calvin, how about your parrot one?

Raenell, time for your bride and groom and cutter loose”.  Depending on what “room”we might be “working, ”Gerry would have worked the room and found the bar for

a topping off”. I recall one such night , as when we passed a open hotel door you could hear people having a good time.  We walked into the room, introduced ourselves, told

our jokes, said “Good night” and moved on.

Pat and Gerry, Congratulation on this milestone of life, Thanks for letting us tag along with you.  Never before have we found a couple of friends that became as special as

family, or more so.

We are so sorry that we are not there to celebrate with you, please know you are always on our minds and forever in our hearts.

Congratulations and Best Wishes from Mike & Pat McCarthy

Congratulations Gerry and Pat.

We had so much fun together in Thousand Oaks, especially with so many years in our 4 couple bridge group--so compatible Life's journey remains an adventure---you both added a lot to ours

 Best Wishes for many more years together

     Mike and Pat McCarthy