By Mirada G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Mike Taylor of McCar Homes has been a longtime friend to many in the local real estate industry, but he’s just been relocated by his company to Atlanta.
To show his appreciation and let Taylor know he’ll be missed, Jim DelVecchio of HomeSouth Mortgage threw a farewell and holiday party at his home in Palencia. More than 175 guests enjoyed appetizers by Roy’s, dinner from Carrabba’s Italian Grill and copious spirits while celebrating.
This was the first year DelVecchio held the party at his home and he said he “threw the kitchen sink at ‘em.”
“The only thing I didn’t have was midgets dressed as elves,” said DelVecchio.
“It was wonderful,” said Naomi Lumley of Palencia. “The weather was perfect, the house was lit up, all the trees were lit with white lights. There was music and dancing and the food was incredible ...There was such a wide range of friends there from real estate friends, builders, neighbors and Jim’s golf buddies.”
But, Lumley added, there were a lot of tears because of Taylor’s departure. His company has decided not to remain in the Jacksonville market.
“We’ve all grown to love Mike,” she said. “It’s going to be a loss to the Sales and Marketing Council and all of us. He is one of those men who touch our lives in a special way.”
Lumley said Taylor was instrumental in getting her to Palencia, where she works as the director of sales.
Taylor was appointed in August as an At-Large Board Member to the Florida Sales and Marketing Council and is a past chairman of the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s SMC. Taylor also served on the board of NEFBA and was active in the Urban Land Institute.
“Mike has been one of the best friends for a number of years. He is the classiest, most genuine human being you’ll ever meet, and I felt the need to send him off knowing he had a lot of friends and that we’ll always be here for him,” said DelVecchio. “There’s not too many people you can call best friends in this world. Doggone it, take care of them.”
DelVecchio’s party also brought in more than 150 toys for children at daniel Memorial, a nonprofit children’s organization. He said he’s already started working on next year’s party. DelVecchio has some ideas and said if he hasn’t sold his house, next year’s party will make this one look like a campfire.
photos by Deborah Metzig