November 19, 2007 - February 15, 2026

Sean Taylor’s brief, bright life ended in the early minutes of February 15.

Music ran through every cell in his body. Sean (also known as Rowan to some) was an extraordinary keyboard player and singer, plucking music from the air and playing with tremendous passion. When he was 11, he fell in love with a Yamaha MODX8 Synthesizer he would play at Guitar Center most weekends, and then saved every dollar for two years to buy it for himself. The talent he honed in his room on that keyboard, Sean shared with all of us lucky enough to hear him play and sing anywhere a piano appeared before him.

While Sean’s taste in music was limitless, he had a special love for Billy Joel’s music, whether perfecting the opening strains of Vienna or leading people in a loud singalong of Piano Man. At home, Sean and his brother Phio jammed and sang spectacularly together, and he spent valiant hours trying to teach me (his mother) to harmonize. He also spent many days and nights participating in the local music scene at Oakland Secret, 924 Gilman, Stay Gold, and other all-ages venues that provide an invaluable place for his community of beautiful musicians, misfits, poets, and artists to gather and celebrate the human joys of life.

Beyond music, Sean was a deeply thoughtful, extremely funny, and compassionate soul with long, gorgeous hair that made him look like Hollywood Jesus. He was beautiful in every conceivable way.

Sean was a Senior at Capuchino High School, where he centered music even in his IB English work with a deeper analysis of The Stranger.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home, located at One Loraine Court, San Francisco, CA, 94118, on February 26, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Wear your favorite music/band merch, or come as you are.

(Share photos and memories here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-francisco-ca/sean-taylor-12754095)

All donations to the Sean Taylor Memorial Music Fund will be held and used exclusively to honor Sean's memory through music in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are in the process of establishing a formal fund in his name, which will support music education, equipment, or outreach in ways that reflect the full extent of what is raised. While the fund is being formed, donations will be stewarded carefully and transparently. We don't yet know the full shape this will take. What we do know is that every dollar will go toward keeping music alive in Sean's name locally. We will keep donors updated.

Whether or not you are able to donate, please play your favorite song and sing it with your entire soul for Sean.