Ronald M. Young

It is with profound sadness that the family of Ron Young announces his passing on November 12, 2024. Ron will always be loved by his wife Millie; his daughters, Brenda, Susan (Dan Moreau), and Paula (Mike Kokelj) and his grandchildren, Scott (Blake) MacIntyre, Megan (Gerry) Westman, Kaitlyn and Kylee Kokelj, as well as his great grandchildren, Allie, and Mackenzie. Ron is predeceased by his parents, Edmund and Jean Young and his sister, Mildred (Grant) Taylor and brother Herb (Doris) Young, of Grand Valley.

Ron was truly blessed as the only thing he loved more than his job, was his family. November 11th is a date that was important to dad, not only because his Dad was a WWI Veteran, but it was also his first day on the job at International Harvester. In 1952, Dad helped our grandfather deliver cattle from their farm in Laurel to the Toronto stockyards. While having lunch at a nearby diner, our Grandfather asked the owner if he knew of any jobs in the area for “this young man.” The owner gave Dad the once over, then pointed to the truck dealership across the street. He said, “Go see Mr. Riley.” Mr. Riley was the Branch Manager, and he agreed to see Dad right away, while our grandfather waited in the truck. He told Dad he could start out washing trucks but if he played his cards right, he could be sitting in his chair in five years. Three years later – Dad was sitting in that chair. He always said Len Riley was the best boss he ever had.

The year before Dad moved to Toronto, he met Millie (Robinson) at a Ranch Boys dance in Erin. In 1954, they married in Hillsburgh. and a few years later, they bought a home in Scarborough where they started their family.  Three girls. Dad used to smile and say, “even the dog is a girl.” In 1964, the family moved to a new subdivision in Rexdale. Summer vacations were often spent camping in Port Elgin. Everything was packed into a house trailer attached to an IH Travelall. Dad loved the beach, a campfire at night and a butterscotch ice cream cone from the local dairy. Winter, Spring Summer or Fall, Dad was always there for us, to listen, to help or just make us laugh.

Throughout his career, Dad won several sales awards. He was a member of the IH Diamond Club for ten years. After managing IH branches in the GTA, Dad took on the Eastern Provinces, moving the family to Quebec for a brief period, before progressing to Sales Manager for Canada, working out of the Canadian IH head office on Harvester Road in Burlington.

On Sundays, Dad would make breakfast. Our youngest sister did not like eggs, but he would always offer her one. One Sunday, she said “Dad, you know I don’t like eggs – why do you always ask me if I want one?” He said: “I have to, I’m in Sales!”

Dad retired from IH at age 49, with 30 years of service with International Harvester and with all three girls out in the world, our parents decided to move back to home base, in Dufferin County.  At first, Dad filled his days helping our mother with her Welcome Wagon supplies, picking up gifts from companies throughout Dufferin County. He enjoyed reconnecting with people in the community, some he knew when he worked at various jobs in the area as a teenager, including Marshall’s Menswear in Orangeville. Others remembered him ripping around on his Harley with his older brother Herb, cousin Jack and close friend, Howard Sawyer. Dad used to say there was nothing that made you appreciate keeping your vehicle clean and in good working order than the memory of pushing a Harley up Caledon Mountain on a sweltering summer day. In retirement, our parents were the first residents in Cardinal Woods in Mono. Thirty years later, they could no longer manage the steps in their two-storey home. In November of 2018, they moved to a more senior friendly, ranch style home, closer to their daughters, living in Thornton and Barrie.

Dad battled cancer, from 2010 on, followed by dementia. He said the saddest part about living into his nineties was watching so many of his friends and family go before him. Thank you to the nurses and PSWs at SE Health. Junior, you were our rock! We would also like to thank Royalty Care. Christine and her crew NEVER let us down at night. Thank you to Enza for her special touch. She kept Dad’s limbs limber while entertaining him with games and music. Dad always had a smile for Enza.

Last July 31st, our parents celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Family stopped by to visit, for what turned out to be the last time. Dad would often say “no one ever wants to take that last breath” but on November 12th, 2024, he quietly slipped away from us, at home, in his sleep.

Cremation has taken place and a service to honour his memory will be held at a future date.

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