Dr. Daniel M. Taylor
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Dr. Daniel M. Taylor died peacefully at home on September 26, 2022 one month shy of his 99th birthday. He had a long and distinguished medical and scientific career in Ophthalmology in New Britain that led to international recognition and acclaim.
After discharge from the U.S. Army in 1955, Dr. Taylor came to New Britain to join the Grove Hill Medical Center and form the Department of Ophthalmology, where he practiced medicine and surgery for 44 years. He pioneered early muscle surgery in children for congenital crossed eyes, and was the first surgeon in the state to perform a corneal transplant in 1956 at New Britain General Hospital. This led to the founding of the Connecticut Eye Bank at NBGH in 1961, and a world renowned reputation for corneal transplant surgery.
Dr. Taylor was also a professor at Yale, and in 1961 joined the clinical faculty at UCONN Health Center. In 1984 he was awarded the John and Florence Solomon Professorship in Ophthalmology, a position he filled thru 1995. He published 103 scientific papers and a book, lectured in 19 foreign countries and was honored by Nobel laureates for his pioneering early surgery on human infants.
In 1987, Dr. Taylor was one of the first surgeons to use the new Excimer Laser on human eyes at New Britain General Hospital. These early studies ultimately led to F.D.A. approval and the development of modern day refractive surgery which has eliminated the need for glasses for great numbers of individuals worldwide. He was also a pioneer in the use of interocular lenses for cataract surgery, a common practice today. He retired in 1999.
Dr. Taylor is predeceased by his loving wife Lola who passed away in January 2001, and older brother Bertrum Jr. who passed away in 1986. He is survived by two sons, Daniel M. Taylor, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Palos Verdes, California; and Dean H. Taylor of Kensington, CT. He's also survived by three grandsons Jason, Zachary, and Alexander; two granddaughters, Mallory and Rebecca; a great grandson, Weston and two great granddaughters, Quinn and Caroline. He is also survived by long time friend and medical colleague Dr. Elizabeth Yennello, who later in life became his devoted companion.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022 at 11 AM at Kensington Congregational Church, 312 Percival Ave., Kensington. Burial, with military honors, followed in Maple Cemetery, Berlin. There were no calling hours. Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home of Berlin is in charge of arrangements. Please share a memory of Dr. Taylor with the family in the online guest book @ www.ericksonhansenberlin.com