In May 1968, Taylor suffered a heart attack, but after a short break he returned to full duties on the High Court. Barwick later said that although the heart attack certainly affected Taylor physically, he was just as dedicated to his work as he had previously been. Taylor continued to serve on the High Court until his death in August 1969, when he died suddenly one Sunday morning. In a tribute published in the Commonwealth Law Reports, Barwick said of Taylor that he was:  "...wise in conference, confident and practical in decision and gentle in dissent... [what] is uppermost in our minds is the warmth of his friendship, his unfailing good humour, and his ready turn of wit and phrase on all occasions, making our daily association with him pleasant and memorable... The Court has lost a great judge, each of us here has lost a close friend."