Morning Taylor, I was showing someone yesterday some of my books about Gurdjieff, Rumi, and other Sufi poets. When I checked my email there was the notification about your anniversary transition. May you be at peace and have wonderful discourse with all the Masters that shed light on this long and winding road we call life....Blessings, Salaam, Shalom......Namaste

Hi Taylor, was thinking about you on Saturday and then I received the email about this being the 2nd anniversary of your transition. RIP eternally....I always carry you in my mind, heart, and soul....thanks for all the insights on all levels....Blessings.....Write On.....Namaste !

I have been a student,friend and admirer of Taylor Morris since 1967 when I first met him as my English Professor at University. He is one of only six people that actually made me the man I am today. My parents gave me roots, my high school Shakespeare teacher taught me to love the bard and thereby all literature. My cousins Susan and Henry taught me how I wanted to raise my family and Taylor opened the door to all and everything else. He was a joyous soul that loved his kids, both his blood and the students that gathered around him to listen to that slight southern sound of his voice. Taylor opened us up to more than the academics of college life, but to the more important studies of politics and human nature. When he established the "Walk" it wasn't meant to be about getting the best grade possible, it was to give youngsters a chance to do and see life for it's own sake. Not for the grade, the money, the wife, kids, parents, boss or society. It was a very very rare moment, it was his creation and those of us lucky or smart enough to have taken advantage of the opportunity were forever changed. I think of Taylor quite often and will always remember his hearty laugh, his perfect oatmeal (which I wouldn't eat till he made it for me) and how he made all the difficult times in my life easier to deal with. Thank you Taylor, you made a difference.

Taylor Taylor, I am writing this for and to you since your transition...I am so happy that we spoke a few years ago....when I tell people about you I say " he was my English professor but more importantly he was my " Teacher "....you left an indelible mark on me and pointed me to a road that I still traverse....today....Salaam, Shalom Taylor, my professor, teacher, murshid ( guide ) guru......I can only imagine the discourses you are having with Rumi, Gurdjieff and many other bright shining souls...
you changed my life about 46 years ago....myself, Paul, Bruce, Butch, Dave, and so many others....I will never forget you.....I carry you in my heart, mind and spirit always...

Blessings,

Jerald Bloom

Taylor Morris was my Spanish professor at Franklin Pierce and he also was chosen by me to review my senior thesis. His patience and insight brought me through many dark days and he holds a special place in my heart. I know that he will always be leading an eternal walk. Thank you for the opportunity to honor him here.

I took two courses with Taylor at FPC in 1972-73: 20th Century American Fiction and a creative writing course. I have always savored the memory of him talking about Hemingway and Fitzgerald and the rest, liberally peppering his commentary with expletives. He offered me very good and patient advice about my own writing. A great teacher, and a very cool guy. Peace and love to his family.

I saw the notice of Taylors passing in the Alumni Mag. I visited him last spring when I visited Taylor Jr. His presence at School meant alot to me,
His walks also meant a great deal to me.

I've been in shock since Daddio died and so I've neglected to keep this memorial site going. But today, with the reality of his absence I felt moved to share some of my memories. My father was a funny, funny man and I loved nothing more than to make him laugh. He also loved to swear. What amazed me about him was his ability to McGyver, (That's) my term for extreme improvisation.) He truly made an art of it.

On the first long walk, the van team was having a very hard time getting permission to set up the tent anywhere near Pisa. Numerous individuals had turned us down. The Catholic Church turned us down. The Italian Communist headquarters turned us down. It had been a long, long walk close to 30 miles. Still no luck.....Daddio was tired and frustrated and then he had an idea. Knowing full well what he was doing, knowing the Italian police would arrive at some point, he and his team pitched the green and white 20' by 30' tent on the traffic circle directly across from the Leaning Tower. Yeah, you can read that again. IN the center of the traffic circle. Walkers stared showing up in dribs and drabs. And, of course the polizia.

The police were upset, understandably. But Daddio McGyvered and played dumb. "I had no idea we couldn't stay here!!!!!" "I'm so sorry! So sorry!" he said in broken Italian.

They wanted us gone then and there. And he knew that. But with his guile and charm, he explained that we could be gone by noon, also knowing full well that that time would be unacceptable.The police were insistent but calmer.

"Okay! Okay!, " we'll be out by 9 a.m.!!! He also knew this proposal was still unacceptable.
Daddio kept negotiating. "Okay, Okay!!!!! We'll be out at 6 a.m.!!"
As if this time was an excruciating concession on his part (which it wasn't.) The polizia saw how reasonable this final offer was and left. And that, my friends, is how a group of walkers slept on the traffic circle in front of the leaning tower of Pisa.

Alright, fellow walkers, another story about the first long walk which began in Barcelona across the Pyrenese into France, Italy and down to Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia (now Croatia).

At a certain point we were unwittingly walking through a military zone of some sort in Yugoslavia. Every day or every other day we were being stopped and questioned by the Yugoslavian military or police. The hassling also came from residents, passers by, children, the curious and the simply strange. My father had really had enough. He contacted the state national radio station to hopefully spread some goodwill and understanding."Radio Ljubljana"During the interview by a reporter, he explained the purpose of the walk. He also, with his McGyver skills at warp speed, explained how Tito (president of Yugoslavia) had heard about the Walks and thought they were very good.

My father had, of course completely made this up.

But what a difference a day makes! We were treated with respect from that day forth while continuing to walk through the military zone.

What can you say about someone who comes along rarely in this world and teaches a unique and enriching perspective on life? Taylor used his personal experience with learning and walking to open many minds and hearts. He was an accomplished author and had a way of letting everyone grow and change in their own way. If you haven't read his books, please do so, you are in for a treat.

My son, Colman, went on a walk across Europe with him while attending Franklin Pierce and the experience remains within him as a powerful learning experience. I've read Taylor's books, which are really a life philosophy, and spoke with him once about the Europe walk. What a wonderful legacy he leaves behind in all the people he taught, I am so grateful our paths crossed. Thank you Taylor Morris for sharing your wisdom with the world.