The HON. DOUGLAS “HAIG” Young
March 14, 2019
Obituary
Passed peacefully away, after a brief illness, at Langley Memorial Hospital, Langley BC, in his 91st year. Haig, as he was affectionately known to all, was the son of John and Bertha Young. He was born and raised in Upper Island Cove, NL. As a young man, Haig was introduced to business by his parents, working in the family’s General Store. He commenced his higher education at Memorial University’s Queen’s College, but decided he preferred working in the family business. His attention was diverted, when a young woman from Bell Island, by the name of Shirley Farrar, caught his eye. In 1951, Haig and Shirley married, and they began their life together. They had a son, Douglas and a daughter, Marina. After many years working and expanding the business with his father, under the J. Young & Son banner, Haig decided to take the business in another direction. He trained as a Funeral Director at Humber College in Ontario, and apprenticed in Nova Scotia and at Carnell’s in St. Johns. He then opened Young’s Funeral Home & Ambulance Service, in Spaniard’s Bay, NL. Being a man that could never quite sit still for long, and having been active in the political background all of his adult life, he decided to throw his hat in the political ring. In 1972, he ran and won the election for the district of Harbour Grace, becoming a M.H.A. in the Frank Moore’s government. In 1979, he won the riding again, and served as Minister of Public Works & Services, this time, in the Hon. Brian Peckford’s cabinet. Haig had a wonderful career in public service, and strived to be the voice for his constituency. He would get to diligently serve one more Premier (The Hon. Thomas Rideout) before finally retiring politics in 1989. His campaign motto was “He would be the last person to let you down.”
Haig and Shirley always loved to entertain friends and enjoyed their retirement years travelling and entertaining friends and family at their homes in St. John’s and Largo, Florida. Shortly after the milestone of their 51st wedding anniversary, Shirley was taken from us.
In 2015, after the birth of his beloved great granddaughter, Charlotte, Haig decided to move to British Columbia, to be close to Marina and her family and to enjoy the beautiful BC weather.
He will be fondly remembered for many things, including his quick, unique ‘Island Cove’ wit, his love to share a drink and talk about the “local news”, his dedication to the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine Temple, his desire to share his Newfoundland pride with any and all mainlanders who would listen, his sense of duty to the community, and most importantly, his love of friends and family. We will forever miss you!
He is predeceased by his first wife, Shirley Farrar; second wife Velma King; brothers: Rev. John Young, and Dr. Randolph Young; sisters: Viola Hammond, Marina Mercer.
Lovingly remembered by son, Douglas (Sharon); daughter Marina (Darrel Reid); brother, Aubrey (Janice); sister-in law Betty Farrar (John Robinson); brothers-in law Don Farrar (Isabel) and Claude Farrar; seven grandchildren: Doug “Avery” (Jen Bartlett), Stefan (Stephane Pesant-Young), Kristin (James Sonfield), Sara (David Francilia), Stephanie (David Guedes), Whitney (Eric Roch), and Kat Young; seven great-grandchildren: Meagan Young, Alison Young, Jude Sonfield, Eva Sonfield, Charlotte Francilia, Naomi Francilia, and Luca Roch; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Cremation has taken place. Haig always joked his final trip to Newfoundland would be “in an envelope” and requested his return take place when the weather was nice.
A service celebrating his life will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 2 pm with visitation on Saturday, July 20 from 11 am to 1:30 pm at Carnell’s. Interment at the Forest Road Cemetery columbarium. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.carnells.com
Donations in his memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation or St. Peter’s Anglican Church Upper Island Cove.
Schedule
Visitations
11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on July 20, 2019
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
Celebration of Life
2:00pm, Saturday July 20th
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
Interment to follow at Forest Road Cemetery.
Heartfelt Condolences to the Young Family. I knew Mr. Haig Young years ago. I grew up in Upper Island Cove and remember as a child going shopping at the Young’s store with my mother. I recall his kindness then. In 1996 when my father passed away, he rested at Young’s Funeral Home – the care and attention I received at that time was memorable and so appreciated. Death is so final; no matter the age when a loved one will be missed there is pain and sorrow that only time alleviates. I lost my mother July 17, 2018, I continue to miss her deeply and guessing I always will. Sending thoughts of peace and comfort during this time of adjustment. God Bless. To give context, I would know Marina and met Doug (grandson) at the time of my father’s passing. My parents, from Upper Island Cove, were Tom and Emmie Mercer.
To the Young Family
So sorry to learn that Haig has passed. He was a good friend. We frequently crossed paths over the years and always had time for a chat .He will be missed by all who knew him. Our condolences to the family.
James and Ethel Cochrane
Box 190,
Port Au Port, Nl
AO N 1 TO
Marina & Family.
Was planning on offering my condolences in person however I will be out of town for the next few days. Thinking of you all .
Robin
Doug and Family, Sorry for your lost, thinking of you at this sad time.
Carol Thistle, Strathmore, AB
marina and family ,my condolences to all of you. heather le shana
Very sorry to hear about Haig, he was such a great loving soul. It was a pleasure to have known him for a little while. Myself and Sandra Scott cared for his loving late wife Velma Young at Tiffany. It was an honor and a extreme pleasure to have known them both for a short while, but will have memories forever. Marina we are so very sorry to hear of your dads passing, we both smiled as we remembered when he use to say he will come back to Newfoundland in an envelope, he always made us laugh, always a joke or a story to tell, God love them both. Thinking of you, but Haig will always be with you forever, God bless him….
Doug, Marina and families: Our sincere condolences to you during this difficult time. When we moved to Upper Island Cove in the early 60’s my family and the Young family became close friends. This friendship was one that lasted throughout our time there and beyond.. “Uncle Haig” (as we came to know him) was a leader in the community, a valued member of the church and one of the best friends my father ever had. He also became a great friend to my Uncle Ed . Every time I spoke to Uncle Ed he would have a story or two of the time he and “Uncle” Haig spent together both in St. John’s and in Florida. My mother also has some wonderful memories of chats they would have especially following the death of my father. Doug and Marina you had to share your father, just as I did, with the community a large and that is never easy and once again in death you will have to share him.. His contributions to the people of Upper Island Cove and to the citizens of Newfoundland will never be forgotten and are permanently in the history books of Newfoundland.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest In Peace “Uncle Haig”. Isabel, Brenda and Elizabeth Rowsell
Great memories of the meals shared at Al Evans suite at Hotel St. Johns in the 197o’s and the humour of all us backbenchers. Haig’s unique,style is unforgettable— .a loss to us all.
Fred STAGG
I want you to know, Doug and Family Members, that you are very much in my thoughts at present. Your father was a wonderful man and very highly regarded. God bless. Jim
If ever there was a legend of a man….it was Haig Young..
The first person I became close to when I got involved in Politics in 1975 as an executive assistant tp premier Frank Moores. He was a gem of a person, hardworking, funny and loyal.
I will miss him
Len Simms
To the family
I was fortunate to be Mr. Young’s neighbour when I purchased my first home in St. John’s. He was a gentlemen and always very friendly . My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
On my Paternal Grandmother’s Family’s behalf as my Grandmother, Enid Eileen Barrett, was related to Haig Young.
Remember Uncle Haig!!!
So sorry to hear about your Dad . Your Mom and Dad were great friends with my parents (Leander and Gertie Mercer) Haig did great work for his district when he was in government and especially for his community. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. RIP Haig.
Marina , Doug & Families
sorry to hear about your dads passing, our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Robin & Joyce Gosse