Andrew Young

Andrew Haig Young

"Andy"

With great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Andrew Haig Young (Andy) on Monday, December 20, 2010 at 91 years of age.

He was predeceased by parents, Andrew and Marjorie Young, three infant siblings, sister Jeannie and two brothers Norman and Robert. Left to mourn his passing are his wife Aileen; children, Lynda (John) of Picton, Ontario, Chuck (Barb) of Portage la Prairie, Phyllis (Steve) of Neustadt, Ontario, Jim (Linda) and Grace all of Portage la Prairie and David (Nadine) of Red Deer, Alberta; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; sisters Elizabeth Young of Calgary, Alberta and Marjorie (Frazer) Carmichael of Abbotsford, BC. and many nieces & nephews. Andy was born in Brooks, Alberta on November 16, 1919.

He spent his childhood years in Brooks, working on his father's dairy farm and milk delivery service. He trapped furs and used the money he earned to pay for tuition at Olds School of Agriculture. He attended Olds College where he met his future wife, Aileen Hewitt, whom he married on November 23, 1946. Together they raised six children. After college he was employed by Agriculture Canada in Brooks, then transferred to Morden Experimental Station, and finally relocated to the Portage Research Station.

Andy started a hobby nursery in Portage in 1946, which evolved into Portage Plains Nursery. As part of his business, Andy operated a greenhouse, supplied pussy willows to florists, sold bedding plants and was well known in the Portage area for selling Christmas trees a�" he always had the "perfect tree" for everyone. On the wholesale side of his business, Andy was known as the "Cottoneaster King" of Western Canada and for his propagation of grafted fruit trees.

Toward the end of his career Andy ran a small u-pick strawberry farm. Andy truly loved horticulture and worked in the business into his 70's. Andy was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership of the Manitoba Nursery and Landscape Association. In his younger years Andy was active in the Scout movement as a scout and leader. Andy joined the Masons in 1944 and remained a member until his passing. By Andy's wish, he fulfilled the Masonic Office of Tiler/Outer guard and for a short duration as Chaplain. He was also a member of the Portage Horticultural Society, Oddfellows fraternity, & Eastern Star. His love of horticulture led him to volunteer his time to landscape and plant flowers at several facilities in Portage la Prairie, including Trinity United Church, Masonic Hall, and Douglas Campbell Lodge.

Service to celebrate Andy's life will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity United Church led by Rev. Beth Kerr.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Andy's memory to Trinity United Church Memorial Fund, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1W7 or to a charity of your choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel 857-4021 A message can be left in the on-line guest book at www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com