Our Benefactor - S. Gregory Taylor (Soterios Gregorios Tavoulares)

S. Gregory Taylor (1888-1948) acquired Cedar Island from Shelter Island Developments, Inc. in 1937. Mr. Taylor (Soterios Gregorios Tavoulares) emigrated from Greece in 1905. He took a ship called The La Gascogne from LaHarve, France to NYC (see the Ship's Manifest here). He worked his way from bellhop to owner of several large New York hotels, including The Montclair, The Hotel Dixie, The Buckingham, and the Hotel St. Moritz. Forty years after F.M. Smith built the original cabin on Cedar Island, Mr. Taylor added a bedroom, a kitchen, running water, a heating system, and a tower. Mr. Taylor cherished his Island retreat and is buried on the northeast side of the Island overlooking the entrance to Coecles Harbor. He stipulated in his will that his nephew, Stephen Stephano, should have the use of the Island and that title would pass to the Town of Shelter Island for "the use and enjoyment of the general public."