Empire pillar, historian Dave Taghon stood in a class by himself

Photo: Diane and Dave Taghon enjoy a hiking break on the Empire Bluff trail.

By Ross Boissoneau

Sun contributor

The sudden death of Dave Taghon on Jan. 3 struck family and friends from far and wide. Despite the fact he spent most of his life in Empire, Taghon’s influence spread far beyond the little village. He was a ready source of information about the area’s history, but more importantly, a vital part of its present and presence through his work on the village council, at his church, with the local Lions Club, and at his family’s gas station for nearly 40 years.

A lifelong member of St. Philip Neri parish, his funeral mass on Jan. 9 filled the church to capacity. That’s not surprising as his rich life of 81 years found him making friends wherever he went.

Dave has been described elsewhere as an icon. I prefer the terminology Fr. Mitch Roman used at his funeral mass: “A pillar of the community.” He was a fixture at the family Standard Oil/Amoco station (today the EZ Mart) at the intersection of M-72 and M-22, which became Taghon’s Corner when they transformed it into a convenience store in 1980. The sobriquet made even more sense when you considered his brother Mike and Mike’s son Dennis operated the auto repair shop across the street.

The store was always a family affair, starting with Dave’s grandparents, then his parents Fred and Reva. It continued with Dave, his wife Diane and their kids, Roy, Kathy, LouAnn and Fred. “Being part of a family business can be challenging, but it helped instill a strong work ethic early on,” said Fred. He recalled how his mom was a stickler for cleanliness and both his parents were hard workers. “I don’t remember him ever complaining about going to work, and he worked hard. He had a contagious optimism, and my brother caught it from my dad.”

Fred’s sister Kathy said she saw her dad’s life as one of deliberately taking time to connect with people, both family and friends. “He was purposeful in his relationships. He was purposeful with God and his family,” she said.

Fred said chief among the things he took away from his dad was Dave’s respect for everyone. “I think treating people with kindness and respect, knowing everyone has value and has something to add to your day and your life experience,” he said.

While Dave was the one who was typically out front, it was never at the expense of his wife of 60 years, Diane. While quieter than Dave, she was never in his shadow, but at his side. It’s impossible to think of one without the other; I often thought of them as Dave-and-Diane.

Yes, Dave liked—loved—to talk, especially about the area’s history. He was only too happy to tell people about the Roen brothers or expound on the old stagecoach, school or other artifacts and exhibits at the Empire Area Museum. He leaves behind the museum complex as a monument. But Dave wasn’t there to hear himself talk. He was simply captivated by the area’s history and guiding others through it, including countless members of the media (guilty!).

“As a kid, I’m sure I didn’t fully appreciate Dad’s love of Empire and its history, and of all the people who lived there, past and present. I just assumed everyone’s home overflowed with antique phonographs, phone operator boards, pump organs, sleigh bells and elaborate lighting fixtures,” said Fred. “Empire history was very much a living, breathing part of my ‘here and now’ as a kid. It was another member of the family.”

Dave genuinely enjoyed people’s company. Maybe you weren’t a close friend, but if you knew him, you were always a good friend. Fishing, golf, gathering maple sap with Boltons—all of them were opportunities for socializing.

For me, Dave was the first person to make me feel welcome when I moved to Empire in 1989. I’m pretty sure Diane was the second. My late wife Mary’s family and Dave’s family had long been connected, and I was immediately adopted as part of the community. In later years, various groups of us would convene at Papano’s Pizza in Beulah, where owners Andy and Becky Miller were welcomed to the fold.

That’s a common experience. Bob and Rita Quinn moved to Empire in 2003, and were quickly embraced by the Taghons. “Both Dave and Diane were welcoming. Dave never knew a stranger,” Bob said.

After Roy’s death in a snowmobile accident in 2008, St. Philip Neri was left without its church musician. A number of parishioners and guests filled in until Peter and Carol Bergin moved to the area and Peter took on the position.

“It was never awkward,” Bergin said of replacing Roy. “I was always respectful of that situation and it was an honor for me to follow in his role. Never when I spoke to Dave or Diane was it awkward, even on the anniversary of Roy’s passing.” Bergin retired from St. Philip Neri a year and a half ago to tour as a ragtime pianist. He called it “an honor” to return to play at Dave’s funeral mass.

Dave was so vital it’s heartrending and nearly impossible to think that he’s gone. While we know intellectually that death comes for all of us, dealing with the emotion of losing someone is always difficult. It’s even more challenging when they were such an essential force of life. That was Dave Taghon, the ambassador of and for Empire.

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