John Taylor McLay

When my grandfather gave me his plane it didn’t feel real. It finally hit me when John and I flew up to Connecticut and started the long journey back. I will never forget the time we landed at Kitty Hawk. John was the best co-pilot I could ask for and my parents relied on him to get me home safe. I will never forget all the times we went flying together.

John:

I keep thinking back to how much fun it was growing up as the four cousins - Collin, Therese, you, and me. We shared so many memories, and I’ll always be grateful that we got to grow up side by side. I think about our birthday parties, the makeshift water slide in our backyard with the blow-up pools, our Easter gatherings and egg hunts, and all the Halloweens we spent dressing up together. Those memories are so special to me, and it’s hard to put into words how incomplete it feels knowing that one of the four of us is no longer here.

I also think about the time when you and I really became close - when you didn’t have a car, your mom- Aunt Debbie- was flying, and Therese was in Kentucky. We’d go grab food together, and you’d hang out with Uncle Chris, Aunt Nayat, and me. Somewhere in all of those ordinary moments, we really bonded.

We laughed a lot, and I’ll always remember the weekends we spent hanging out, watching Therese ride horses, and simply being together as a family. They seemed like such simple moments at the time, but they mean so much more to me now.

I was always a little envious of how naturally you could play the piano. Maybe now I’ll finally learn. I think a part of me would like knowing that whenever I sit down to play, I’ll think of you.

As we got older, those moments became fewer as college, work, and life took us in different directions. Looking back now, I wish I had realized just how precious the time we had together really was.

I’m going to miss you, John. I’ll miss our laughs, our time together, and simply knowing you were there. I wish more than anything that you were still here with us.

Family gatherings will never feel quite the same without you. There will always be a piece missing.

I love you, John. I’ll carry you and all the memories we made together with me always. ????

Johnny boy, I’m going to miss you so much, your awesome sense of humor, our joking around at family gatherings, playing golf, or just hanging out. The lord has a new angel by his side, we will see each other again, rest in peace until we meet again. I love you very much, always, love uncle Chris.

John, you were my go-to cousin—someone I could always lean on and naturally gravitate toward at every family function. I’m going to miss our golf matches and trying new courses whenever I came home to visit. I’ll never forget the memories we shared and the countless laughs and scrubs exchanged on the course and over dinner. I love you, John, and I’ll miss you always.

John, you were a wonderful man. Every time I saw you, you had the biggest smile and the kindest things to say. I'll treasure those times. I felt so honored to be a reference for you when you went to Planesense. I had told the lady doing the paperwork that you would be the biggest asset to them. You were a stellar pilot.
While being a top notch pilot, l'll remember you as so much more - a loving brother and friend to all. Many blue skies.

There are simply no words for the loss of John. Taken far too soon at only 23. Our hearts break for the whole family as you all face unimaginable sadness.
Sending all our love, strength and deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Danny & Libby Keating
Australia

John Taylor, I’ll always cherish your bright smile and the memories of watching you play baseball, flag football, and basketball with your cousin Collin.

Your funny, creative pictures.. Especially when you turned Grandma into Buzz Lightyear and your cousin Kevin into a character from one of Jim Carrey’s comedy movie! The years pass and they still make us all laugh.

You will be forever loved, deeply missed, and always in my heart. Rest peacefully, my sweet nephew. ????????????️

To my cousin Johnny - I’m forever grateful for the memories we did get to make, especially skydiving over Surfers Paradise Beach in Australia. I’ll always remember how excited you were to finally be old enough to jump with me and Tracy, while your dad joked, “Why would anyone jump out of a perfectly good airplane?” The coastline beneath us, the world wide open, and not a worry in sight. It’s a memory etched in my heart forever.

“To know you is to love you” fits you perfectly. The sweetest soul, a light in every room. I hope you and Sammy are somewhere up in the sky together now. You’ll be missed more than words can say. Fly high, Johnny ????️

To a great pilot, and an even better person. Clear skies and tailwinds, John!

John foi um prazer te conhecer e vibrar com todas as suas conquistas!! Você é muito especial, Deus o tenha em seus braços .Força Debbie e Therese , que Deus possa ajudar você nesse momento de muita dor . Meus sinceros sentimentos!????

John was such a funny, joyful student. He was one of those children who could light up a room and make everyone around him laugh. Even when I was trying my best to keep the classroom noise to a minimum, John had a way of making us all giggle.

He was respectful, kind, and incredibly sweet. I’ll always remember the way he would look at me with those big, beautiful eyes whenever he got stuck on a question during a test. Somehow, even in those moments, he could make you smile.

One of the first times I met John, he called me “Mrs. Arrow” because he couldn’t pronounce my last name. The next day, he came back to me and said, “Yesterday I said your name wrong. Can I just call you Mrs. Oreo? I can roll my Rs.” I thought that was absolutely adorable. He may have only been in first grade, but even then, his personality was already shining through.

John had a special way of bringing joy into a room simply by being himself. His kindness, humor, and beautiful spirit made an impression on me that I will always carry with me.

I feel blessed to have been one of his teachers and to have known that sweet little boy who could turn Mrs Arroyo into “Mrs. Arrow” and then into “Mrs. Oreo” and make everyone smile along the way.

John will be remembered not only for the student he was, but for the light he brought into the lives of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Always Cap Cod