Obituary of Francis R. Taylor

Dr. Francis Richard Taylor, 98, of Mt. Arlington, NJ, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026. A man of profound intellect, musical gift, and unwavering devotion to his family and faith, Frank lived a life defined by hard work and a servant’s heart.

Frank’s academic and professional journey was extraordinary. He served in the U.S. Navy at the end of WWII as a medic and was released with distinguished service. After earning his bachelor’s in chemistry from La Salle University and his master’s from Drexel University, he broke a record at Fordham University by obtaining his PhD in physical chemistry in less than two years. It was during his early career at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia that he met his future wife, Clare Helene Knapp, who was then his assistant.

During his long tenure as the Chief of Pyrotechnics at Picatinny Arsenal, Dr. Taylor held many patents for his work in chemistry. One of his proudest technical achievements was the development of the infrared (IR) lightstick. Working alongside his team at Picatinny, Dr. Taylor spearheaded the creation of this technology, which allowed U.S. troops to signal allies and repair vehicles in total darkness without alerting enemy forces. This innovation saved countless U.S. Troop lives and remained a source of great joy throughout his career.

A devout practicing Catholic, Frank was a pillar of Our Lady of the Lake Church for over 50 years. His faith was reflected in his tireless commitment to his eight children; at great expense, he ensured they all received a Catholic education at Our Lady of the Lake School. For high school, six of his children attended Morris Catholic or Pope John, while two chose Roxbury High School. His work ethic was legendary—after a full day at the arsenal, he would pick up his sons from track practice, shop for groceries, and prepare dinner for a table of ten. He was also a gifted handyman, a skill learned from his father, and could fix just about anything.

In retirement, he taught at the County College of Morris and William Paterson University, where he was a beloved mentor. A lifelong musician, he started piano at age nine and played for hours daily until recent months when his hands would no longer cooperate. He was also highly skilled at the organ and accordion, having studied the cello in high school and dabbled in the saxophone later in life.

Frank’s greatest joy was his family. His devotion to his wife, Clare Helene Taylor, who predeceased him on December 9, 2024, was undying; he called for her until his last conscious breath. He is survived by his eight children: Frank, Timothy, Clare Marie, Jeanmarie, Maureen (Bobbi), Christopher, Damian, and Angela; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren, with two on the way.

Service Information
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 11:30 am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 204 Espanong Rd., Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, NJ.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life later that day. Please stop in and join us any time from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Hillside Church, 113 South Hillside Ave., Succasunna, NJ. Light refreshments will be served.