THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 21, 1994 TAG: 9409200124
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Michael Taylor didn't want to retire from the Navy and not have anything to do. So he planned ahead.
Taylor, who worked his way up through the ranks, retired in May as a Navy lieutenant. By then, he had his second career - running a janitorial service - well under way.
``I wanted to have something to do. And this was something I was good at,'' he said, explaining he'd had a lot of practice in cleaning - as a child growing up in Chicago, and as a young Navy man working part time to supplement his income.
His business keeps him busy. But not too busy to pursue his hobbies, he explained recently after a successful fishing trip to Sandbridge. Translate that into fresh spot for dinner.
Full name: Michael James Taylor.
Hometown: Chicago
What brought you to the Beach? The Navy in 1984.
Birthdate: Jan. 28, 1951.
Occupation: President/owner of Supervised Services of Virginia Janitorial Services.
Nickname: Mike.
Marital status: Married to Verneall for 19 years.
Children: Two daughters, Troya and Michele.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? A day that I don't have to leave the house.
Last smart thing you did: Planned well in advance for retirement from the military.
Last dumb thing you did: Loaned a friend some money.
Favorite meal: Beans (any kind), rice and corn bread.
Favorite movies: ``The Dirty Dozen,'' ``Platoon,'' ``Heartbreak Ridge.''
Favorite song: ``Southern Girl'' by Maze.
Last book read: ``How to Stay Out of Court.''
Hobbies: Fishing, Ping-Pong, reading and listening to CDs.
Secret vice: Can't tell you.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My tendency to be a workaholic.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Her hair length. I'd like for it to be longer.
Favorite restaurant: The Lighthouse at Rudee Inlet.
Your favorite night on the town: Partying at my private club.
Favorite TV shows: ``Cops,'' ``Kojak,'' ``The Three Stooges,'' CNN Headline News.
Favorite sport: Volleyball and swimming.
Last vacation: A weekend trip to Pennsylvania.
Pets: Two turtles.
Worst job: The midnight shift at a plastics factory. I lasted one night.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Completing a very successful military career (23 years), earning my bachelor's and master's degrees and owning a successful business for the past five years.
What would you like on your epitaph? He's done it all and loved life to the fullest. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB