David DeFrain Taylor

David DeFrain Taylor, age 75, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, passed away on May 7, 2025 at his beloved home at Clifton Mills in Kennett Square, PA, in the company of his doting cat, Tommy. Born in Wilmington, DE he was the son of the late Edwin DeFrain Taylor and Alice Sheldon Taylor.

David was a lover of water, working for many years at the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware teaching many how to swim throughout the years and was an avid scuba diver in his younger years.  

David attended University of Delaware studying social work until his last semester when he listened to his heart and followed his dream of becoming an antique dealer.

David was the operator of many businesses throughout his career. His first and longest business was his antique shop at Clifton Mill where customers could find anything from cast iron lawn furniture to classic wooden pieces to unique figurines to adorn your home. If you were around 15 years ago you may remember the classic 8-foot Pepsi bottle that sat out front for many years.

If he wasn’t antiquing, maybe he was helping a friend move with his furniture moving business. In the winter, David’s red Jeep Wrangler and plow were the envy of all local plow companies because he could navigate small driveways with precision and detail.

David was a friend to any stranger and his loyalty to his lifelong friends is unmatched. He couldn’t go anywhere near or far without running into someone he knew, often called “Uncle David.” One was often greeted by his boisterous voice and a dad joke, followed by a long-winded anecdote. He will be remembered as the year-round wearer of shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and flip flips, who was larger than life and loved life beyond measure. He loved to throw a great party, no matter the occasion, always going above and beyond. He was a man stuck in times long gone, often found listening to the soundtracks of musicals and watching black and white and western films. Attending the Longwood Musical every July was something he looked forward to sharing with his loved ones.

He served our country in the Army Reserves for six years.

Survivors include his daughter, Sara Sheldon Taylor of Essex, MD and his nephew, Stephen Taylor, and his wife, Fiona. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald Taylor.

You are invited to David’s Remembrance Gathering to share stories of his life from 4:00-5:00PM on Saturday, July 12th at none other than his creek-side summer party location at 162 Old Kennett Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348. His Life Celebration Party will follow. Parking directions will be provided as you arrive. David’s daughter, Sara, requests you wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt and bring a written favorite David story to be included in a memory book. In lieu of flowers, please honor David’s memory by paying it forward with an act of kindness, telling an unnecessarily long story, or making a donation to your favorite charity.

Arrangements are by Matt Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square, PA. To view his online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com