Wayne M. Taylor, dentist and dog-lover

WAYNE Marcellus Taylor was a skilled and popular West Philadelphia dentist, but his true love was dogs.

"If he could have made a living with his dogs, he would have given up dentistry," said his sister, Sheryl Taylor Bailey.

Fortunately for his loyal patients, he stayed with dentistry. But he kept six dogs, four at his home in Yeadon and two at a dog club in Quakertown. He also bred dogs and hunted with them.

Wayne Taylor, a dentist for 30 years who often did free work for seniors on fixed incomes, died March 7 of an apparent heart attack. He was 56.

He was born in Phoenixville to Roy and Virginia Taylor. He attended Lansdowne Friends School, Cheyney University and the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, in Nashville, Tenn.

He opened his practice at 58th Street and Cobbs Creek Parkway in 1982.

Wayne's dogs included Vizslas, wire-haired pointers, black Labs and others. He took them hunting throughout the Poconos and deer hunting out of state. He was a member of the National Rifle Association. He held a special place in his heart for his first dog, Titus, a Vizsla.

In his younger days, Wayne also enjoyed deep-sea fishing off the New Jersey coast.

He belonged to dog clubs in Quakertown and Medford, N.J.

"He had a big heart," said his sister, a dental hygienist. "He was a little hard to get along with. He was a great debater. If I went zig, he would go zag.

"He was a good guy, extremely bright. He knew a lot and would let you know it."

Besides his sister, he is survived by a brother, Anthony M. Taylor, and his companion, Carmella Kane.

Services: Memorial service 11 a.m Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Lansdowne, 140 N. Lansdowne Ave. Friends may call at 10 a.m.