Tributes paid to ‘best plasterer in Rhyl’ who would ‘fix anything’

Tony Taylor died aged 59 on January 31 at St Kentigern Hospice, St Asaph, after a battle with cancer.

He is survived by his partner, Linda; his children, Shaun and Anna; and his five siblings.

Born in Amble, Northumberland, Tony met Linda, his partner of 42 years, when they were at school together, before they settled in Rhyl in 1989.

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Tony Taylor (Image: Family handout)

Linda celebrated the life of her late partner, who had been plastering since roughly the age of 15, and who she described as “the best plasterer in Rhyl”.

She said: “He was my rock. He had a wicked sense of humour; there were so many daft things he’d do that made me laugh. We’re a very close family, and he was a brilliant dad.

“We had budgies, and he once put a chocolate egg in the bottom of their cage. When we all came in, he said: ‘Look - the budgie’s laid an egg!’, before he put it in his mouth and ate it. The kids were devastated!

“His brother was a plasterer, so they worked together. He was the best plasterer in Rhyl - he was old-school; he went for quality, not quantity.

“He liked taking the kids out, going to car boot sales, and was a keen motorcyclist. He was very handy – he would fix anything.

“He spent eight days at St Kentigern, and everyone at St Kentigern was fantastic with him.”

Tony Taylor (Image: Family handout)

Tony’s funeral will be held on Friday, February 23 at The United Church in Rhyl, Water Street at 11am.

This will be followed by interment at Rhuddlan Cemetery.

All flowers are welcome, and donations in memory of Tony will be pledged to St Kentigern Hospice.

Nick Reynolds, Tony’s work partner, paid tribute to an “honest and loving” man with a “great sense of humour”.

He said: "Tony was a boss, then a work partner, and most importantly, a friend. He gave many people in Rhyl a job and a trade. 

“He put a lot of wages in a lot of homes and gave a lot of opportunities to a lot of people. He was honest and loving to his family, and had a great sense of humour.

“There was a time when there were 10 or 12 of us on a job; it was raining. Tony turned up and wasn't happy as all but one of the lads were still sat in the vans.

“Tony asked us why we weren't working; we told him it was because it was raining. It was 9.30am and off he went to the shop - he came back with 20 bin bags.

“He cut three holes in each one and told us to put them on as ponchos. He was a problem solver.

“His love of AC/DC and Black Sabbath annoyed everyone, but it grew on me over the years! I will miss that man, and his Geordie accent.”

Gus Steel, a former colleague of Tony’s, said, he “couldn’t have asked for a better teacher”.

He added: "I'll be forever grateful to Tony. He was a dad, a brother, and my boss, but most of all, he was my mate.

“He gave me a chance of a job when I was 18. He taught me a trade of being a plasterer. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher; I'll be grateful forever.

“But most of all, I'm going to miss him. Every day I pick up the trowel he gave me, I'll think of my mate, Tony Taylor.

“God bless you, Tony; you're going to be missed. Rest in peace.”