Wilbert A. "Bill" Taff

03/10/2005

Wilbert A. "Bill" Taff, 85, of 16 Aztec Drive died Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 26, 1919, son of Charles E. and Eleanor Seaman Taff, he attended schools in Floral Park, N.Y. He also attended Cadet Training School in Rochester, N.Y. An Air Force veteran of World War II, he served as a first lieutenant with the 445th Bomb Group from 1941 to 1945. Mr. Taff was last employed at the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown. He had first worked at the General Cable Co., the Warren Cable Co. and then worked at the Northeast Wood Products, all in Pownal, Vt. He also worked part-time as a pilot for the George West Mohawk Valley Aviation Co. at the Harriman West Airport in North Adams. Mr. Taff received his pilot's license at the age of 16 years. He also was an accomplished musician and played the drums with several bands throughout Southern Vermont and Berkshire County. He and his wife of 37 years, the former Eleanor M. O'Neill, were married Aug. 12, 1967. Besides his wife, he leaves three daughters, Ellen Mormando of Hudson, N.Y., Linda Jelley of Palm Bay, Fla., and Judy Smith of Jacksonville, Fla. A son, Robert J. Taff of Bennington, Vt., six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Wilbert A. Taff will take place Tuesday at 6 at the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME for FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St. North Adams, with the Rev. Edward King, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church of North Adams, officiating. The family will gather to meet family and friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 to 6. Memorial donations are suggested for the North Adams Ambulance Service through the funeral home. Survivors also include a son-in-law, Joseph Mormando, daughter-in-law, Denise Taff, and Mr. Taff's daughter Judy Smith's companion, Jeff Eade.

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