Rockport — Bruce William Young, Jr., passed away peacefully at Kaplan Family Hospice House with his family by his side on Wednesday, October 3, 2012, after a six month long battle against cancer, fought with dignity, grace, and courage. He was born in St. Paul, Minn. on July 25, 1940, to the late Bruce W. Young and Agnes (Hermann) Young.
An only child, Bruce lived in Minnesota until his father transferred to Malden in 1949 to work for Joslin’s and later for Jordan Marsh Company in Peabody. Bruce attended Melrose High School until he joined the Navy in 1957. He served in the Submarine Service for five years on several boats, the last of which was the Ethan Allen, of which he was a Plankholder.
Bruce was married in 1963 to Peggy Halladay of Portland, Ore., whom he met while living in San Francisco. After living in Melrose for five years, they moved to Stoneham, where they lived for 34 years, relocating to Rockport in 2004.
Bruce went to work for Polaroid Corporation in 1968 and worked in Copy Service and Research. When Dr. Land left Polaroid and began his nonprofit Rowland Institute in Cambridge in 1982, Bruce went with him. Dr. Land and his dog Desi were Bruce’s daily companions in an energizing and creative environment. Bruce retired in 2002, whereupon he happily and actively pursued his love of gardening in the Lanesville Community Garden.
Bruce was a member of King Cyrus Lodge of Stoneham, now affiliated with Good Samaritan Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Reading, for 36 years, and the Andover Sportsmen’s Club and Cape Ann Sportsmen’s Club. He was also a 40 year member of the St. Patrick’s Thursday night group in Stoneham and the Boston A.R.E. Search for God Group.
Bruce is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Peggy, of Rockport; his daughters, Kelli Harte and her husband Joseph of Littleton, and Leslie Perra and her husband Michael of Sunderland, Vt.; and by beloved grandchildren, Shannon Harte and Adam Harte and Nicole Perra and Brandon Perra.
Bruce’s life was defined by the many friendships he made and the people he selflessly helped. He always saw the big picture, looked for and found the good in every person he met, and his sense of humor was contagious. Kind-hearted and loving, he will be forever missed by his family and dear friends. Bruce’s unshakeable faith in God and his lifelong study of His message sustained him throughout his life and during his final illness.
ARRANGEMENTS: A Memorial Service will be held in Burgess and Mackey Funeral Home, 201 Main Street, Rockport on Saturday, October 13, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to The Open Door (Cape Ann Food Pantry), 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 (online at foodpantry.org) or to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923.
Online condolences may be given at www.burgessandmackeyfuneralhome.com.
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