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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
YOUNG, Edward James Michael - Ready, aye Ready - It is with deep sadness that the family of Mike Young mourns his passing on February 4, 2023. He died peacefully while on vacation in Florida.
Predeceased by the love of his life, Carolyn, he is survived by: his children, Laura (Roberto Gregoris), Douglas, and Catherine Dahl (Howard), Iva Mohapel, his loving fiancée, his grandchildren, Meghan, Neal, Erik, Glen (Gillian Evers), James, Jonathan (Pam), and Robert (Chelsie), six great-grandchildren, and his extended family and friends, especially Juliet Roopnarinesingh and Fred Herrndorf.
Of maternal Irish descent, Mike was born in Manchester, England to Bridget and James. His wandering soul led him to the British Merchant Navy where he circumnavigated the globe four times by the age of 17. His first glimpse of Canada's glorious West Coast convinced him that his future lay in defending Canadian waters.
By 1959, he had joined the Royal Canadian Navy and was sent east to Halifax. In 1962, he was set up on a blind date with the leggy, athletic Carolyn Roberts, a teacher. It was love at first sight and they enjoyed a blessed union of 40 years.
Serving primarily on the Atlantic Coast, Mike sailed in RCN minesweepers, submarines, and destroyers. He "stared down the Soviets" through a periscope and also with NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic during the Cold War. In 1980, he took command of HMCS Ottawa, was deployed overseas in numerous NATO exercises, and showed off the Navy's colours on the 1981 Great Lakes tour.
In 1985, he retired from the Navy, settled in Ottawa, and worked in the private sector. He fully retired in 1997. He continued to travel the world; he and Iva enjoyed cruises and vacations to far-flung places.
He edited several Naval publications such as Starshell and Salty Dips and was an active member of the Submariners Association of Canada and the Naval Officers Association of Canada.
He was a genuine Renaissance man who read widely, tooled with his gadgets and ship models, BBQed the best steaks, and wrote "strongly worded" emails. We are still absorbing his loss.
A private family funeral and cremation have already been held. A celebration of life will be held at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Road (between Bayshore and Baseline Rd.) on Friday, April 28 at 1 p.m., with a reception and 'craic' to follow. For those unable to attend in person, the celebration of will be livestreamed on Michael's tribute page at Tubman Funeral Homes For those who wish to make a donation, the family would be honoured if you supported the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the Royal Canadian Naval Benevolent Fund (https://rcnbf.ca/) in Dad's name.
Ships served in: HMS/m TRUNCHEON HMS/m PORPOISE HMDS/m OPPORTUNE - Commissioning crew HMCS ONONDAGA - Served in ONONDAGA as Weapons Officer. Commissioning crew. HMCS SASKATCHEWAN - Served in SASKATCHEWAN as XO HMCS ANNAPOLIS - Served in ANNAPOLIS as XO HMCS OTTAWA - Served in OTTAWA 04 Jul 1980 - 10 Sep 1982 as a Cdr, Commanding Officer. 16th Commanding Officer
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