Michael Robert Taylor, affectionately known as “Tay Tay” of Darien, passed away suddenly on Oct. 8. He was 57.
Michael Taylor, 57, passed away on Oct. 8. His wake will be on Wednesday, Oct. 15, and his funeral the next day in Darien.
Mike was born on June 5, 1968, in Stamford to Michael and Barbara Taylor. He attended Royle Elementary School, Middlesex Junior High, and Darien High School (class of ’86), where he met his future wife, Lisa DeYulio.
At Darien High, he was a proud Eagle Scout and member of the Darien High School football team, a legacy carried on by his son Michael.
As a child, Mike discovered his love of boating and spent many hours with his dad at the Darien Boat Club, which led to a passionate career in yacht sales at Surfside III Marina and Total Marine. He became a private captain and opened his own company, Yacht Butler Services, transporting yachts up and down the east coast.
Later, Mike became sales director of the family business DeYulio’s Sausage Company. He developed a love of golf playing in many charitable golf tournaments including the Noroton Fire Department and the Piedmont Club of which he was a member.
After Mike attended the University of New Hampshire, he reunited with Lisa to marry on July 10, 1999. They settled in Darien to raise their three children: Olivia (25), Alexis (23) and Michael(17).
Mike was extremely proud of all his children. He was an active Royle Elementary School father and a YMCA Indian Guide leader. He cheered on his son Michael and
volunteered at every football game.
Olivia graduated from Elon University and Alexis graduated from SUNY Purchase. Olivia and her beloved dad spent many road trips enjoying each other’s company on the 10-hour drive between North Carolina and Darien.
Mike shared a passion for music with his daughter Alexis and loved getting to see her perform on stage as a member of Theater 308 and Tutor Singers. He loved Jimmy
Buffet, Pink Floyd, and especially the Grateful Dead, and spent many happy times traveling to see them with his friends. Mike cherished walking hand and hand on the
beach with his wife Lisa, collecting sea glass and watching the sunsets.
Mike is survived by his wife, Lisa; his children: Olivia, Alexis and Michael; his mother, Barbara Taylor; his father-in-law, Victor DeYulio; sisters, Jessica Horton and Desiree
Barlow (Gary); nieces and nephews: Blaine, Trevor, Dasha, Brock (Elissa) Horton and Ethan Barlow, Chad (Lisy) Barlow, Chelsea (Josh) Wood, Brittney (Jake) Bromley,
Lindsay (Daniel) Dansie and his cherished dog, Riley. Mike is predeceased by his father, Michael Taylor Sr. and grandparents Axel & Linnea Ohrn.
There are no words to describe how much he will be missed but he will be remembered fondly for all the love and joy he gifted the world. We will all remember Michael’s infectious laugh, consummate storytelling, and ability to make friends with everyone he met.
A wake will be held to honor Mike from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 at Lawrence Funeral Home, and a mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 16 at St. Thomas More Church in Darien. He will be laid to rest at Spring Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Darien Athletic Foundation in memory of Mike Taylor. Gifts can be made online or by mail to: Darien Athletic
Foundation, P.O. Box 1071, Darien, CT 06820.
— an obituary from Lawrence Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left