Obituaries

In Memoriam: RFH 2013 Grad, Casey Taylor, 27

“We are crushed by this loss but we remember and celebrate the wonder of Casey and how extraordinarily blessed we are to have been gifted with him. We will remember and celebrate his resilience, grace and kindness. His empathy, warmth and compassion. His bravery, sensitivity, loyalty and humility. His zero tolerance for bullshit. We will remember with a smile how much Casey enjoyed a good laugh and how, with his witty, dry and deadpan sense of humor, we laughed along with him.” ~ loved ones of Casey Taylor

Cherished son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) 2013 graduate, Casey Taylor died on Oct. 9, five days before his 28th birthday.

Known as affable and open, Casey worked at Barnacle Bill’s for the past 10 years, where he was “greatly loved.”

Casey Taylor
Photo/family via Pfleger Funeral Home

“After graduating from RFH, the world became his classroom and he its most steadfast student. His interests were colorful and diverse: he consumed Korean media, progressive podcasts, video games -an Apex Legend- and probing conversations about life. Casey was riveted by the wonders of this life, and was as fascinated by travel to Peru, Mexico, Columbia, Ecuador, St. John, and Canada as he was by the hometown charms he relished on the Navesink River and the Atlantic Ocean. Casey loved surfing, sailing, kayaking, rock climbing, disc golf and sleeping beneath starry summer skies.
He did not merely reside at the Jersey Shore — he savored it.
The seeds of adventure were planted within him early during snowboarding trips and sailing adventures with his father, David, who died when Casey was in third grade. Casey was whip-smart. He strove with great intention to continually learn and become his best self. Casey was a seeker, naturally curious about the world, open-minded and open- hearted. His avid interest in others, coupled with a genuinely sweet nature and gift for friendship, won him a legion of friends he cherished. This was particularly true of his childhood buddies, a loyal fraternity of jokesters with whom Casey shared baseball, soccer, proms, graduations and eventually the great promise of young adulthood.

Casey’s brief, beautiful life was filled with a deeply cultivated optimism and joy. In his final year, Casey offered a masterclass in resilience, bravery, gratitude and grace.”

Loved ones of Casey Taylor in his obituary

He was preceded in death by his father, David Taylor, who affectionately called him “Casey-my Boy.”

He will be remembered with much love by our surviving family: heartbroken mother, Suzanne Kitson, and step-father, Joseph Shannon, of Fair Haven; devoted second mother, Aunt Kathleen Kitson and Uncle Dennis Lee, of Rumson; his beloved true brothers, Eamon Kitson and Cole Lee; his many aunts, uncles and cousins.

“He was a devoted, loving and caring son. In that unique way that perhaps only a big brother can be, he was fiercely proud, loyal and protective of Eamon and Cole for whom he always led the way,” family said in his obituary

Casey also leaves behind his treasured dogs, Tala, Charlie and Indy, who are now missing their buddy.

A memorial celebration is set for Saturday, Oct. 15, at 12:30 p.m. at the Edgewater Beach Club, 1465 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Casey’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

— Edited obituary provided by family via Pfleger Funeral Home

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