RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Alvin Taylor Big Al age 62, of Columbia Center, McKoons Road in Richfield Springs NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday August 31, 2013, in Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown NY. Alvin was born on May 2, 1951 in Trenton, NJ, son of the late Charles and Mary Taylor. He was raised in Brooklyn NY where he graduated from Bishop Ford High School. He furthered his education at Mohawk Valley Community College and Utica SUNY College where he received his degree in Police Science. Mr. Taylor worked as a police officer for the Frankfort Police Department and became Chief of Police on January 1, 1978. He retired on March 22, 1992. He worked for Utica Kunkle Ambluance Service while attending Saint Elizabeths School of Nursing where he earned his Registered Nursing license. In 1993 he was hired by Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown NY where he worked for 18 years, retiring in December of 2011.On October 8, 1977 in Frankfort NY he was united in marriage to the former Kathleen Young of Richfield Springs. They made their home in Frankfort until 1988 when they moved to Richfield Springs. He was a General Amateur Ham Radio Operator and a member of the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association; he was a certified underwater diver, volunteer fireman and EMT III with the Frankfort Fire Department and a past member of the Frankfort Kiwanis Club.To all who knew Big Al he will always remembered as a gentle man with a big heart. Whether it was police work or working as a Registered Nurse he was always there to protect and serve others. He was a friend to all and will be greatly missed. Surviving are his loving and devoted wife of thirty-five years Kathleen, one son Michael Scott Taylor -US Coast Guard- and his wife Deirdre, one sister Marie Taylor of Mamaroneck NY, one brother Charles Taylor and his wife Margaret of Pattersonville NY, and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours for Mr. Taylor will be on Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street; Richfield Springs NY. Funeral service will follow immediately after at 1:00 pm. The Reverend Bernard Osei Ampong, Pastor of Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church Richfield Springs will officiate. Interment will follow in the Dutch Reformed Cemetery in the town of Columbia. The family wishes to thank the ICU Staff at Bassett Healthcare and Reverend Betsy Jay of the hospital pastoral care for the compassion shown during this difficult time. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the American Heart Association, Catholic Charities, or the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.