John J. Young, Sr.

A bright light has gone out of our world with the passing of John Joseph Young, Sr. (77) on Nov. 4, 2016 in Greensboro. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 8, 1939, John’s lifetime accomplishments were many, but he will be remembered most fondly for his kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and compassion, which shown through to everyone who met him. With tenacity, grace, and courage, John persevered through a journey with cancer that lasted many years.

A Greensboro resident since 1980, John was most well-known locally as the Dean of the Division of Continual Learning at UNCG, a fitting role for a man described by all who knew him as an enthusiastic, lifelong learner. As a young man, John spent five years studying for the priesthood with the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in Hyde Park, New York. He graduated from John Carroll University with an A.B. in Philosophy and A.M. in Classical Languages (Latin and Greek), and from the University of Virginia with an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy. He attended the University of London as a two-time Fulbright scholar from 1968-70, and Yale University as a National Endowment for the Humanities scholar in 1977-78. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa. John’s thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. He once lamented to his children of the painful moment in his youth when he first realized that during his lifetime he would not be able to read every book ever published.

Rivaling John's passion for learning was his love of teaching. He taught at John Carroll University, the University of Virginia and the Governor's School of South Carolina. From 1970-1980 he taught at Davidson College where he had the distinction of being the first Roman Catholic professor to earn tenure.

At UNCG his leadership was instrumental in creating successful programs for the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree, Emeritus, and the All Arts, Sciences & Technology Summer Camps. He championed innovative summer session courses as well as challenging interdisciplinary courses. Following his 21 years in administration, John was devoted to teaching and mentoring adult students in the MALS program. In retirement he enjoyed being affiliated as a “resident sage” with the Association for Managers of Innovation at the Center for Creative Leadership.

John had a strong sense of civic duty and supported various organizations in Greensboro. He was a past president of the Greensboro Ballet Board and represented UNCG as a member of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

John’s gifts were not limited to his academic, professional, or civic achievements. His inherent curiosity was infectious and his authenticity gave him a magnetic quality that moved people to trust and appreciate him deeply, which frequently left folks standing and talking to him much longer than they had planned. No topic was off limits, every idea was worth considering, and all aspirations were within the realm of possibility. And John never wanted to let a great idea slip by. To this end, he was always armed with a small stack of 3x5 notecards and a pen, lest he miss an opportunity to capture a thought, record a reminder, or spontaneously share a teaching moment.

Even after brief interactions with John, friends walked away feeling better about things. He believed that good would generally prevail, that we all have tremendous inner resources and that occasionally we need to be reminded that we are loved and that things are going to be OK. In just a few words, and through his gentle, lopsided smile, John had a way of infusing people’s hearts with hope, courage, and peace. He often quoted a priest friend, who told him in one of his darkest moments, “Do you know what hope is, John? Hope means that things can get better.” And he really did believe that.

John approached every obstacle as an opportunity, starting from YES and then charting a course to make it happen. “Never count yourself out,” he told his son John Jr. when applying to colleges. “They can’t tell you yes if you don’t give it a try. Let them tell you no. And if they say no, we try another angle.” The idea that it can’t be done was just not in his heart. When John Young was on your side, you simply knew that things were going to work out. And they nearly always did.

In addition to his positive attitude, John was a big picture thinker, a brilliant orator, and a charismatic leader. His ability to simplify complex ideas and draw meaningful connections between seemingly unrelated topics was a hallmark of his intellect. Still he was utterly relatable; charming yet genuine, confident yet humble. He was able to find common ground with nearly everyone he met, and he looked for something to appreciate in each person’s perspective, even when it differed from his own.

And then there was John’s sense of humor. Funny, wry, and usually irreverent, John’s wit was effortless but always affectionate. If he teased you, you knew he loved you.

John’s interest in spirituality was both broad and deep. Over the years he was active in St. Pius X Catholic Church, the UNCG Catholic community, the Franciscan Center and First Presbyterian Church. His abiding interest in Celtic spirituality led him to write many Irish blessings as gifts for friends and family. John had a profound spiritual influence on many people who sought solace and hope in his perspectives on life, love, and paths of recovery. He found great strength in Psalm 131, particularly as he traveled the last miles on his life’s journey, always carrying this text with him:

I do not walk with haughty gaze

My eyes are not lifted up too high,

I do not occupy myself with things

too marvelous and too great for me.

But I have quieted and calmed my soul,

like a child quieted at its mothers’ breast,

Like a child quieted is my soul.

O Israel, hope in the Lord

From this time forth and forever more.

John’s love for his family and friends was characterized by fierce loyalty, remarkable warmth, and abundant generosity. He was a protector and giver, accepting people for exactly who they are, never asking them to compromise their own authenticity. John lacked selfishness nearly to a fault and taught his children by example to love unconditionally even when it was hard, and to face adversity head on even when it hurt. His children and grandchildren were his greatest pride and joy, and he loved every minute that he spent tickling them, teasing them, and encouraging their hopes and dreams.

We pray that John receives in abundance the gift he frequently bestowed on all those he loved: Blessings on you, dear one, full measure, pressed down, and flowing over.

John was married to Eileen Bernadine Bruch from 1966 until her death in 1984. In 1991 he married Winifred Roper Legerton and is survived by Winifred and their daughter Hannah Young of Greensboro; his son John Jr., daughter-in-law, Amanda, granddaughters Ireland (14), Ronan (10), and Addie (7) of Middlebury, VT; his daughter Molly, son-in-law John Maass, and grandchildren Eileen (16) and Charlie (14) of Alexandria, VA; his brother Rev. William Young of Asheville, NC; his sister Kathleen T. Young of Alexandria, VA; his father-in-law, Fitzhugh M. Legerton of Black Mountain, NC; and five Bruch and Legerton brothers-in-law and their families.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro on Nov. 19 at Noon, followed by a reception and time of remembrances in Mullin Life Center. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Beacon Place at HPCG https://www.hospicegso.org/donate-now and Catholic Relief Services https://secure.crs.org.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.