Charles L. Young ’38 died on January 31, 2018, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
(The following was published by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette on February 3, 2018)
Charles L. Young ’38
Charles Loring Young from the community of Briarwood in Worcester died peacefully on Wednesday night January 31, at 101 years old. He was the son of Herbert and Eva Young of Belmont, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his two older sisters Dorothy and Rosamond, who both also lived to the age of 101.
Charles married Virginia Lillian Vaughan on June 29,1946, and they were lovingly married for more than seventy-one years. Virginia resides in the Briarwood Community.
Charlie was born January 4, 1917, in Belmont, Massachusetts, where he attended local schools. After graduating from Belmont High in 1934 he went on to Bowdoin College in Brunswick Maine. Charlie was a member of Beta Theta Pi and was the first in his freshman class to earn a letter in cross country as a 2 mile champion. Pneumonia ended his running in his sophomore year. Charles graduated with a AB degree in 1938. Mathematics was his major with a minor in Astronomy.
After graduation Charlie went to work at Johnson and Higgins Insurance in New York until April 1, 1940 when he joined Boit Dalton and Church. They merged with Frank B. Hall Insurance in 1972. He headed Personal Accounts and later the Special Commercial Accounts Unit where he worked with Sherm Baker and Ward Franzen. They were affectionately labeled misfits but were highly regarded within the company. Charlie retired April 1, 1980 (40 years).
In February 1942 Charlie volunteered in the US Army signal corp. He trained as a radio technician in Monmouth NJ, and then assigned to North Africa in December 1942 with the Aircraft Warning Battalion. Later he was moved to Corsica, Italy, where he remained until 1945. When he returned he became engaged to Virginia and they were married on June 29, 1946.
Charles and Virginia had four sons. The eldest, Charles Jr., with his daughter Mai Lei Murphy, her husband Alexander, and their children Keoni Ruiz and Cian Murphy; also Charles Jr’s son Daniel Young and wife Michelle. His daughter Tamara Young. Their second son, Geoffrey, and his son, Michael and wife, Renee, and their daughters, Kylie and Evelyn, and Geof’s daughter, Vanessa. Their third son, Steven Young, and his wife, Terri, and their two sons, Kevin and Andrew, with his wife Kathleen, their daughter Anika, son Charlie, and also Neil. Their fourth son, Richard (deceased) and his daughter, Heather. Daughter-in-law Susan and son Chris, his wife, Amanda, daughter Reagan, and son Jason. Daughter-in-law Maria Young. Also, Anne, Michelle and Katie, who feel like family.
Charlie was an active Mason for sixty-three years. He became a Master Mason June 2, 1955, at Columbia Lodge. He was a Worshipful Master from September 1967 to August 1969. At the Grand Lodge he became The Grand Sword Bearer from December 1971 to December 1974. Charlie became the Grand Lodge Representative to Western Australia and held that title from December 1974 to September 2014. He was presented the Veteran Medal in June 2005 by the Grand Master himself. He was scheduled to receive a fifty-year past master medal. He was also a member of the St Bernard Commandery #12.
Charles and Virginia lived in Needham for forty-eight years where they were actively involved in raising their children, sailing, photography, dancing, traveling, and summer vacations in Ossipee, New Hampshire.
Following some of the members of their church, they moved to Briarwood in 2004, where they joined the Briarwood players. Charlie took many leads while Ginny did costumes and design under the tutelage of Ina Valentine. They also volunteered for many jobs and events. They both enjoyed the company of many Briarwood neighbors, especially cherishing those in the Terrace. Virginia expresses her sincere thanks to everyone who has enriched their lives here, including the Knollwood and Briarwood staff and the community.
Charlie will always be remembered for his wit and dry sense of humor which he kept until the end.