ROGER YOUNG

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ROGER YOUNG

The family of Roger Irving Young, 81, wishes to announce his sudden passing from cardiac arrest on Father's Day, June 18, 2023.

Born in Winnipeg on May 10, 1942 to Grace and Irving Young, Roger leaves behind his siblings, Jane Finnie and Grant Young; his children, Geoffrey Young and Kristine Young; his grandchildren, Emma Clubb, Connor Clubb and Devin Hawkes; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Roger, although retired to the Toronto area at the time of his passing, spent his life in Winnipeg. He attended Gordon Bell High School and spent his late teenage years as an army cadet with the Princess Patricia Regimen until his marriage to Bernice Orris in 1964. Roger worked as the front desk manager at The Fort Garry hotel and then for the Sears Corporation which took him to the greater Los Angeles, California area in the early 1960s.

Despite leaving Gordon Bell in tenth grade, Roger graduated, after his return to Winnipeg, from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts Political Science Deans Honor List. Roger spent the early part of his career as program supervisor with Opportunities For Youth (OFY), a federally funded government youth program. Roger received an award from the Government of Canada for creating a nationwide liability insurance program for OFY during his time as a supervisor.

Roger chose the Fort Rouge South Winnipeg area to settle with his family. He took an active role in the community over his 40 years as a resident there, starting with President of Lord Roberts Childcare Association and eventually being elected as a Winnipeg City Councillor for this district from 1989 to 1992. During this time, Roger worked tirelessly to introduce and support measures that would greatly enhance the district. He was integral in having the Red River side of Churchill Drive designated permanent park space for all to enjoy.

Roger loved Manitoba, the prairies, and his hometown of Winnipeg. He was an investigator and mediator for the Provincial Human Rights Commission for the better part of three decades until he accepted a position as Human rights and Harassment Prevention Advisor with the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency in Ottawa, Ontario. Roger was very proud of his work in these areas and felt very grateful that he was able to be a voice for many who felt unheard. Roger met the career challenges in his life with persistence, passion, and a lot of hard work.

Over the years of his life Roger, had many interests. He enjoyed his motorcycle, spending many summer months teaching a motorcycle safety course for novice riders. Roger also spent time at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. learning American Sign Language. His love of the prairies remained steadfast throughout his life, providing inspiration for his pencil drawings of classic Manitoba vignettes. The creation and process of each work brought him great joy and peace.

It was his request to be cremated and have his ashes spread in his beloved Manitoba and that there not be a traditional funeral service.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 16, 2023