Our beloved Grandfather Cyril O. Taylor entered the spirit world on July 9, 2008. Words cannot do justice to the wonderful human being he was. Many were touched by his kindness, words, deeds and actions to help the many native communities he was involved with.
His parents were Carib from the Island of Dominica and immigrated to the United States before Cyril was born. He grew up in the Baltimore area and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the U.S. Army, he joined the Baltimore Police Department. When he retired from the police force in 1993, he spent the last 15 years of his life helping the native community in a variety of ways. Throughout his life he had strong ties with the Carib community of Dominica as well as other native groups on the East Coast.
He was a member of the American Indian Society in Virginia, a respected adopted member of his wife Marie’s tribe, the Meherrin of North Carolina, and a strong Sundance supporter at the Tayac Sundance in Maryland. He was involved with the weekly Capitol Hill Native Prayer Breakfast as an organizer and speaker. He was the Honorary Consul of the Lokono-Arawak Nation of South America, a founding member and elder of Biaraku: First People of a Sacred Place, as well as an elder and Liason Officer for the United Confederation of Taino People. He helped organize many events as well as host native travelers in his home. He gave moral, spiritual and economic support to native people throughout the Americas.Grandfather Cyril was a strong supporter of UCTP.He adovocated for indigenous women's rights and contributed to the work of the Bohio Atabei.
Most recently he joined Bohio Atabei and Biaraku to visit the Taino and Carib artifacts at the National Museum of the American Indian’s Suitland facility this past April.
Grandfather Cyril truly lived the golden rule and treated all with respect and dignity. His curiosity and love for life was evident in the trips that he took around the country and the Caribbean. The Taino community of Boriken was blessed to have him visit on several occasions. Grandfather Cyril was always learning and growing spiritually from those around him. He would joke that he was still learning to be an elder. A Cherokee elder remarked upon meeting him, “There goes a holy man”.
He is survived by his wife, Marie, and son, Cyril Taylor, Jr. His first grandchild is due to be born in September. We wish his family well and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Our elders are a sacred library of knowledge that we cherish and honor. Thank you Grandfather Cyril for blessing us with your presence. You will not be forgotten. Your humble, kind and gracious warrior spirit lives on.
Gina Robles-Villalba
We will do all we can to honor your spirit grandfather....
Vanessa Inaru Pastrana
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