Drowning victim remembered as kind, hardworking
Sep 5, 2017He was very close with his family," said Mellisa Hospodar, of cousin Allyn Taylor, a 2015 Lapeer High School graduate.Taylor, 20, of Lapeer, was found dead June 13 in a lake at Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort in Richfield Township.A coroner's report ruled Taylor's death an accidental drowning, according to Richfield Township police Chief Tony Craig.Witnesses told police Taylor was attempting to retrieve a paddle boat when he went missing.An intensive search began late Sunday night, but dive teams found his body in several feet of water around 12 hours later."He was a really, really great kid, very kind and loving and caring, respectful," said Hospodar, who set up a GoFundMe page to help his family with funeral expenses.A website created by Taylor as part of a Capstone project during his senior year gives a description of what he valued most in life. "The greatest things in my life are my friends and family. There is nothing anyone needs more than the ones that love you no matter what's thrown at you," he said. "My family and I Love Being outdoors is what I've always loved to do hunting, fishing and when I can not do that i play pool with my family."Taylor also held two jobs, one at Outdoor Adventures and the other at Davison Country Club. He was also taking classes at Baker College, with hopes of pursuing a career as a CNC machining operator.Thousands of dollars have poured into the donation page, along with kind remembrances of Taylor that Hospodar hopes can help in aiding the family through the "unexpected and tragic" death."They had nothing set up. The thought would never have gone through anyone's mind (given his age) to have to cover funeral expenses like that," she said. "This is going to help so much.""He was one of the sweetest boys," Hospodar said.Allyn Taylor is survived by his parents Louis and Sheryl Taylor; siblings William Charles Taylor and Amber Rose Taylor; girlfriend Megan Woodward; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.The family will receive visitors until 8 p.m. Thursday, June 16 and from 10... (MLive.com)
