Sylvester (Sly) Taylor, Jr was born on April 9, 1960 in Cairo, Georgia to the late Sylvester Taylor, Sr. and Jo Ann Smith. Sylvester graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1978, earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.
He married his best friend and beautiful college sweetheart Emilia Taylor on June 15, 1985.
Sylvester has over 40 years’ experience in the Hospitality Industry with over 28 of those years spent at Walt Disney World Resort in a variety of Hospitality Positions. Performed as professional leader using key accountabilities and operational efficiencies for the company for resorts, parks, properties and restaurants. In fact, Sly created magic at Narcossee’s, Grand Floridian Cafe and the Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian. He was the Restaurant Guest Service Manager at the Flying Fish Cafe at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Cinderella Royal Table at Magic Kingdom, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Ariels and Cape May at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort.
His latest role was to capture the vision of the Guest, implementing their ideas and turning them into reality as a Convention Services Manager at Walt Disney World. Sylvester was the Top Disney Casting Scout for four consecutive years and earned the lifetime achievement award.
Sylvester was initiated into the Iota Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated at Florida State University on June 2, 1981. He was a 1985 Charter member of the Xi Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in Dallas, Texas. After moving to Orlando, Fl, Sylvester served in the Delta Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Sylvester was a social butterfly; so becoming a Certified Wine Sommelier and Certified Meeting Planner was the perfect pairing. He also expanded minds by serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix and Everest College. Last year, Sylvester and his family created TaylorGang Tastings on Facebook to virtually bring people together and share his knowledge of wine and challenging taste buds.
He eventually began conducting private wine tastings. His larger than life personality will truly be missed but never forgotten.
To honor his legacy, the Taylor family launched the Sylvester Taylor Invictus Hospitality Scholarship. Named after his favorite poem, the scholarship seeks to reward High School Seniors, Undergraduate, Trade School, and Graduate school students who are pursuing a career in the hospitality and food service industry.
A portion of the proceeds from The Wine & Cheese Experience will help award more scholarships to deserving students.
If you would like to donate, please click HERE
Your donation is tax deductible and 100% of your donation will be awarded to scholarship winners.
