Alexander McGill Young

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear dad, brother, grandad, GG, uncle and friend. A life well lived, the pillar and Patriarch of our family passed away at Richmond Hospital after a gallant fight against complications from a stroke. Alex was predeceased by his wife Shirley in 1999, and by his brother Ralph in 1997. Lovingly remembered and left to mourn him are his three daughters, Susan (Eric), Heather (Bruce), Linda (Allison), his grandchildren Michael (Neela), Geoffrey, Ryan (Erin), Sarah (Nathan), Sydney, Ava, his great grandchildren Dominic and Sophia, his sister Grace (Jim), brother-in law Lorne (Gloria) and many nieces and nephews here and in New Zealand. He was born in Vancouver and lived most of his life in the Vancouver area except for a period of 13 years which was spent residing in both Victoria (1954-59, 1966-69), and Ottawa (1959-64). At a very early age Alex was innately aware of his passion and eagerness to learn the written word and relished working with words and reading, possibly preordaining him to his chosen career path. His insatiable appetite for knowledge brought about his lifelong love of literature and his pursuit of a career in investigative reporting. He started his career in journalism in 1947 as a copy boy for the Vancouver Sun newspaper which led to an apprenticeship. Rising in the ranks, he became a senior reporter covering all manner of news, finally settling into political coverage for which he developed a great enthusiasm for. He was a staunch believer and defender of objective and non-bias reporting and demonstrated unwavering integrity in his journalistic style and approach. During the years he resided in Victoria Alex covered the B.C. Legislature and provincial politics in general. He often recalled and spoke about the great pleasure of living for five years in Ottawa, serving in the Ottawa Press Gallery, covering the national political scene. His career also crossed media genres as he had a go at radio and spent three years reporting and broadcasting for Vancouver radio stations CHQM and CJOR at separate times. The other B.C. newspaper that Alex came to work for and eventually retired from was The Province. He also contributed and assisted in the operations of the Vancouver Express strike newspaper during the long Pacific Press strike of 1978-79, a feat he was particularly proud of. After a long successful storied career, he retired from the newspaper business in 1990. After the death of his beloved wife Shirley in 1999 he found comfort in his love of family and music. He joined the Delta Music Makers, a community band, which brought him much joy and solace over the years. A gifted musician, he played the tuba, the trumpet and the base guitar during his time with the Delta Music Makers. Alex also had a lifelong love for the game of golf and was able to play regularly up until a couple of years ago. He could also be found playing a game of snooker with the fellas at the Minoru Seniors Centre in Richmond and took pleasure in participating in their Friday night competitions. Above all else though, it was his family that was forefront, especially his grandchildren. He was devoted to his grandchildren. He had boundless time for them, championed for them, taught them, shared in their adventures and dreams, loved them. They were his pride and joy and meant the world to him, as he did to them and to our entire family. A kind, understated, charismatic, generous, true gentleman he was. While we mourn our loss we take comfort knowing that he will live on in our hearts forever. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, December 16th, at 1:00pm at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Chapel 3789 Royal Oak Ave., Burnaby, B.C. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alex’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Love you dad, always have, always will.