CHUCK BALLARO Patty Lizzio makes contact with a pitch at opening day for the Cape Coral 50+ Softball League at the Cape Coral Sports Complex on Tuesday.

Robert Taylor’s life was devoted to service — on the battlefields, inside burning buildings, in penitentiaries, in the forests and on the streets.

He also loved his softball, playing in Cape Coral’s 50-plus league for years, where he made many friends, including a current Cape Coral City Councilman.

On a beautiful Tuesday evening, the city’s 50-plus Softball League kicked off its fall season with a ceremony dedicated to Taylor and included Police Chief David Newlan, the American Legion Post 90 Color Guard and members of Taylor’s family.

Jennifer Ford, secretary for the 50+ Softball League, said Taylor not only played in the league, but also volunteered in a variety of local organizations. Even though he was well decorated, he wasn’t one to brag about his achievements.

“He was very unassuming. You never knew all the accomplishments he did while in the service,” Ford said. “One of the members of the league suggested we do something to commemorate him because they haven’t had a real service for him because of COVID-19.”

One of Taylor’s teammates was Councilmember John Carioscia, who, like Taylor, was a police officer.

“He was loved by all. He played in this league for years and I came in after he did and he welcomed me and explained a lot to me as he did a lot of other players,” Carioscia said, who has played for 12 years in a league that has been around since the 1980s.

“This is a great surprise. My dad would be very proud,” said Blair Taylor, Robert’s son. “I got to see my dad play for the last couple years on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Taylor, who passed away in March just as the pandemic started, served in the Marine Corps from 1967-69, where he earned three Purple Hearts, among other honors. He then became a fireman, and then a prison guard in Norristown, Pa.

The latter job led him on a path to law enforcement. He became a state park policeman and park ranger before going to the police academy and becoming a police officer in several Pennsylvania departments before retiring and moving to the Cape.

“He was always calm in a hectic situation. You could have a group of people where everyone was angry and he would be the one who was calm, cool and collected,” Taylor said.

Newlan said it was an honor to be asked to throw out the first pitch, seeing as it’s been a long time since organized sports have been played.

“It’s a great turnout tonight. It’s great to see a lot of people playing and getting some fresh air,” Newlan said

After the ceremony, it was time to play ball, with the 45+ and 50+ leagues getting under way, with games played on all the fields, a welcome sight after more than six months of inactivity because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s awesome. It gets you off the couch and out of the house and it gives you a little exercise and camaraderie. I missed it. It was terrible not playing,” Carioscia said. “People who play come from all walks of life.”