Cumberland—Casper R. Taylor, Jr., passed away in his home on Monday, April 24, 2023. He was 88.

Born in Cumberland, MD, on December 19, 1934, he was the son of the late Casper R. Taylor, Sr. and Zelma (McDermott) Taylor. In addition to his parents, Cas was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Lenore "Polly" (Young) Taylor, his sister, Diane (Taylor) Thomas; and daughter-in-law, Linda M. Perrin Taylor.

Cas attended St. Michael School in Frostburg and was a 1952 graduate of LaSalle High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1956 where he studied political science and served in the US Air Force ROTC. He was the owner and operator of Cas Taylor's restaurant and package goods store on Mechanic Street in Cumberland, which later became known as the Cumberland Hall of Fame Club.

In 1974, Cas began a three-decade career in government service when he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. While there, Cas served on the Economic Matters Committee and later as Vice Chair and Chair of the Committee. He was eventually elected Speaker of the House of Delegates, a position he held from 1994 to 2003, becoming the longest serving Speaker in Maryland history at the time.

During and following his tenure in the House, he was most proud of his work on behalf of Western Maryland. Many times, he organized delegations of legislators and state leaders to visit the area. Cas's accomplishments over his 28-year legislative career are too numerous to list, but the One Maryland initiative as well as his work leading to the development of the Rocky Gap Resort and Golf Course are two key hallmarks. In January 2007, the new House of Delegates Office Building in Annapolis was named for Speaker Taylor. On May 21, 2022, the Baltimore Street Bridge in Cumberland, Maryland was named after Taylor. See the Maryland Archives for more on Cas Taylor's legislative career and honors.

Cas was a member of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Cumberland Council 582, Alhambra Wamba Caravan 89, Maryland Democratic Party and the Speakers Society. Cas was also a member of the Dapper Dan Club, an organization he was proud to host for many years at his restaurant. Cas was also a musician who enjoyed playing the piano and was a life-long Notre Dame football fan who organized "Taylor's Travelers" trips to South Bend for game weekends.

Cas is survived by his sons, Dane E. Taylor and Brendan B. Taylor and wife, Carmen; grandchildren, Mallory A. Solner and husband Michael, Colin A. Taylor and wife Sara Burnett, Devin P. Taylor and wife Dr. Jessica Taylor, C. Rohman Taylor, III, and Mary Quinn Taylor; great-grandchildren, Olivia J. Solner, William E. Solner, Maia E. Taylor, Aidan M. Taylor, Liam P. Taylor, and Gemma Marie Taylor, born April 18, 2023; brothers-in-law, James R. Thomas, and Paul Young.

A special thanks is offered to the caregivers who provided wonderful care to Cas over the last year and a half: Etta Helmstetter, Rose Dentinger, Mary Jo Gray and Patrick Thomas.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, on Friday, April 28, 2023, from 4 to 7pm. A Christian Wake service will be conducted at 7pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 1pm.

Interment will be in SS Peter and Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Mountains Parish, 300 E Oldtown Rd, Ste. 2, Cumberland, MD 21502.

Christian Wake Service:

Funeral Service and Committal: