SKOWHEGAN – Bernard “Bernie” Carroll Taylor, 94, formerly of 90 Cobbossee Ave., in Gardiner, died Jan. 30, 2021 with family by his side at the Redington – Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan.

He was born in Bingham, March 12, 1926, son of Merton and Lottie Taylor. He attended Solon schools where he played baseball and basketball. His family moved to Bath where he worked at the shipyard until his enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps in June 1944. From stateside he went to Guam as a member of the 3rd Marine Division and then was in the battle of Iwo Jima. After the Japanese surrender, he was with the 1st Marine Division, part of the occupation force in China. He returned home in 1946 and was discharged.

After his military discharge, Bernie attended refrigeration school in Lewiston and then barber school. It was during this time that he met Arlene Young. They were married on Sept. 1, 1947 in Camden. While in Lewiston he was owner/operator of a sandwich shop near the Bates Mill and worked as a mason tender for Stewart and Williams construction. In 1951 they, with their two sons, moved to Gardiner on Cobbossee Avenue. In 1955, a third son was born.

Following barber school, Bernie worked at barber shops in Augusta. For 18 years he was owner/operator of Bernie’s Barber Shop at the Augusta House Hotel. When the hotel was razed, he moved his shop to 10 Western Ave. until he retired in 1988.

Bernie served 14 years on the state barber board, eight of those as chairman. He was a Boy Scout leader of Troop 161 in Gardiner for approximately 15 years. Bernie enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and was an avid gardener having three good-sized gardens. He especially looked forward to an annual fishing/camping trip to Eustis with his sons, grandsons and grandson-in-law. He and Arlene spent the winters in Port Charlotte, Fla. until 2004. They enjoyed riding in their pontoon boat up Cobbossee Stream and going to their camp in Embden. Arlene and Bernard were inseparable. He was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Bernie was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Arlene, of 72-plus years; older brother, Robert and younger brother, Russell and his wife Anna.

He is survived by his three sons, C. Scott (Anita) of Monmouth, Bruce (Kathleen) of Arundel and Terry of Arundel; grandchildren, Shane Taylor (Wendy) of Winthrop, Brian Taylor (Dawn) of Benton, Tiffany Merrill (Christopher) of Augusta, Heath Taylor (Angie) of Sanford, Ryan Taylor (Bonnie) of Millis, Mass. and Ashley Taylor of Saco; great grandchildren, Devyn, Erica, Courtney of Winthrop; Abigail, Logan, Benjamin of Benton; Brooklynn and Kristin of Augusta; Brady and McKenzie of Sanford; David and Spencer of Millis, Mass.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Redington Memorial Home in Skowhegan for their kindness, care, and compassion given to Bernie for the past three-plus years.

Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. followed by a private family funeral on Tuesday, Feb. 9, following the guidelines set forth by the State of Maine and the CDC face masks and social distancing will be required. Burial with full military honors at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta will be announced in the spring.

Arrangements are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.