Robert (Bob) Stewart Young, age 93, died
peacefully on January 18, 2019 in Barry’s
Bay, Ontario. Bob lived a simple yet rich and
meaningful life. His engaging personality and
keen sense of humor drew people to him. He
would say that he had a wonderful life.
Bob was born on September 22, 1925 in Buffalo,
New York to Ethel Griffi ths and Robert Young. He
grew up in a loving household with his sisters Alice,
Ethy, Loretta and Virginia.
On his 18th birthday, Bob joined the Navy. He trained as a signalman
and was assigned to guard supply ships in both the Atlantic and
Pacifi c during WWII. This experience would inspire his lifelong interest
in travel. After the war, he attended Georgetown University’s School
of Foreign Service where he met Jean Walden. After they graduated,
they married in June 1950 at Holy Trinity Church in Washington, D.C.
They moved to Alexandria, Virginia where they raised their four
children Rob, Terry, Jenny, and Polly. It was here that they built lifelong
friendships with neighbors while being active in parish life at Blessed
Sacrament.
During their early years of marriage, Bob and Jean fully embraced
the joy and fulfi llment of living the Gospel with their lives. They
immersed themselves and their family in many social justice activities.
He was a founding member of ALIVE, Alexandria’s largest non-profi t
agency providing assistance to people in need. Bob balanced his
commitment to nonviolence with his work at the Navy Department by
providing draft counseling to young men during the Vietnam War and
participating in marches for peace in Washington, D.C.
Bob felt the pull of rural life and in 1982 he and Jean moved to
Combermere, Ontario where they had been building friendships
through their connection with Madonna House. There he continued
to volunteer, driving people to medical appointments, participating
in the local cancer support group, and serving on St. Francis Valley
Healthcare Foundation committees.
Bob and Jean’s shared interest in researching their genealogy led to
a number of trips overseas to visit ancestral homelands and connect
with distant relatives. He generously and lovingly took each of his
children and grandchildren to Europe to see their ancestral villages.
He made his last trip to Ireland just after turning 90.
He delighted in nature where he felt the presence of God when
feeding chickadees from his hand, making maple syrup, providing a
habitat for monarch butterfl ies, and tending and preserving the bush
for future generations. Bob treasured the simple yet beautiful things
in life. He loved gardening, daily walks, ice cream, laughter, puzzles,
telling stories, and spending time with his family and friends.
He is predeceased by his much loved wife Jean with whom he
shared 68 years. He is survived by his son Rob (Jaquie), daughters
Terry Jardeleza (Jack), Jenny Traynham (Mac), and Polly Young
(Heidi Gemperle), sisters Sr. Virginia and Sr. Loretta Young, 24 nieces
and nephews, 9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous
friends, each of whom he cherished.
A funeral Mass and celebration of his life will be held on Saturday
June 1, 2019 at 11 am at Holy Canadian Martyrs Church in
Combermere, Ontario. A luncheon will follow.
For details please visit the Heubner Funeral Home website.
In lieu of fl owers, please consider a donation in his name to one of
the following organizations:
• St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation
• Madawaska Valley Food Bank
• ALIVE