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The Hon. Douglas "Haig" Young

The Hon. Douglas "Haig" Young

Born: April 13th, 1928

Passed on: March 14th, 2019

M.H.A. (Ret.)
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. John's. 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, the date and time will be announced later. 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.

 

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