Sun 15 Sep 2013 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Peter Taylor, photographed at the This Is Your Life tribute dinner. 11.30PM: One of Auckland's most vibrant gay personalities has died after deciding to stop treatments for the two diseases which increasingly were destroying his quality of life. Peter Taylor, one-time restaurateur, equestrian, author and gay venue owner, died shortly after 11 o'clock tonight at Mercy Hospice. Keeping company with him in his final hours were his closest family and friends, and supporters of his partner, Rodney Coleman. Having struggled with the twin ravages of HIV and leishmaniasis infections for the better part of two decades, Taylor had been rendered almost completely deaf and blind. He was increasingly unable to endure the on-going bouts of chemotherapy and other treatments, including multiple surgeries, which had enabled him to live far longer than originally expected. Last month Taylor announced that after being publicly honoured by the Cartier Trust with a This Is Your Life tribute dinner on August 31st he would cease all treatments and let nature take its course. Increasingly frail, he entered the hospice yesterday morning and by this afternoon was partially conscious and having increasing difficulty breathing. Peter Taylor is survived by his partner, Rodney, and his sisters Yvonne and Katie. GayNZ.com Obituary: Peter Taylor Tributes and comments may be posted here on the GayNZ.com Forum
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 15th September 2013 - 11:31pm