Richard Young

Richard E. (Dick) Young

June 9, 1930 - March 17, 2025

 Of Lancaster, NY at age 94. Beloved husband of the late Dixie. Dearest father of the late Timothy (late Patricia), Susan, and Kristen (Laureen). Brother of the late Lester “Bud” (late Barb) and uncle to their children: Late Duane (Sherri), Debbie, Karen (Mike), and Kathy. Survived by five grandchildren: Gregory (Betsy), Sarah (Adin), Lauren (Matt), Scott, and Alex. Cherished great-grandfather to Ethan, Wyatt, Lillian and Weston.

Dick had a fantastic knack for building and designing. He was a self-taught mechanic, electrician, pipe fitter, welder and designer, learning from his father, Lester, who owned a controlling interest in the Cayasler Manufacturing Company while Dick was growing up. In 1944, Lester formed Young Fire Equipment Corporation (William near Bailey in Buffalo) - and by the time Dick got out of the Navy, Dick's fate was to become the President of Young Fire and ultimately move it to 204 Cemetery Rd, in Lancaster. The Navy helped hone Dick's skill sets (including firefighting) and immediately, Dick had revolutionary ideas on how to build a better firetruck. His designs were decades ahead of his competitors and are still being widely used today. He was considered a Legend in the industry who built the "Cadillac of Firetrucks". Young Fire closed in 1991 – but, the experience of constantly designing brackets for all the special tools and equipment that his firetruck customers wanted mounted led to his next big venture.  In 1993, he would launch Performance Advantage Company on 10 W. Main St., Lancaster, which designs and distributes tool and equipment mounting brackets for the fire service, military and multiple other industries in 38 countries - and continues to grow.

In 2007 Dick founded the Greater Lancaster Museum of Fire Fighting at 6 W. Main St., next to his business. The Museum includes artifacts from several surrounding fire companies, the 9/11 Towers, as well as Dick’s personal lifelong collection. Dick witnessed how volunteer fire departments represent the highest level of community involvement, sacrificing time, learning skills, and responding to your community when your brother needs help the most. Dick often said, "Communities cannot function without the selfless sacrifices that volunteers contribute. We've got to encourage more volunteers." The museum is his way of honoring not just those in the fire service - but, everyone who volunteers to help others.  

Dick was a proud graduate of Lancaster High School, class of 1948. As class president, he spent years organizing class reunions for his classmates. In 2023, in fact, those remaining celebrated their 75th class reunion.

Dick was equally proud of his service to his country, joining the U.S. Navy just after high school graduation.  He spent 1948-1949 on the USS Buck 761 Destroyer to help with the Revolution in China. Upon his release from the Navy, he enrolled at Marietta College in Ohio. But his college days were cut short when the Korean War broke out and he was called back to duty, this time serving as a ship-fitter on the USS Marsh DE699 in 1950-1952.  In 2019, he was given thanks for his service via. the Honor Flight to Washington.

While his Navy ship was docked in San Francisco, he was introduced on a blind date to a tall redhead, named Dixie King from Idaho.  They were soon married on Dec. 29, 1951.  Their union lasted 68 years and the love between them was visibly heartwarming.

Dick was also gifted musically, playing the accordion, piano, and singing party favorites for hours into the night. Many will fondly remember standing around the piano singing songs with him.  He was so natural and fun at it.

Dick's mind was a treasure-trove of history and heritage knowledge. If you met Dick for the first time, he would ask for your full name and want to know everything about you - and remember it - and connect you to your ancestry and point out connections that you didn't even know existed.  He was interested in everybody and everything.

He parlayed that love of history partnering with local author/writer Mary Jo Monnin in 2015 to produce books on Lancaster history and local Fire Departments.  Mary Jo ultimately became his caretaker - and probably best friend - and gets full credit for keeping him active and healthy for the last five years.  Thank you, Mary Jo.

Dick was an elected member of the Lancaster Village Board from 1957-1965 and was instrumental in bringing the Village and Town together to solve key issues in Lancaster's sewer infrastructure.

He is a lifetime member of the Lancaster Eagle Hose Fire Company starting in 1961. And in the 1960s, was also made an honorary member of the Town Line Fire Company. 

Dick was also a lifetime member of the Royal Order of Masons.

In 1968-1969, Dick followed in his father's footsteps, becoming the president of "FAMA" Fire Apparatus Manufacturers' Association, helping to establish standards that we live by today.

Dick's list of accomplishments and awards and the number of lives he has touched and helped is beyond impressive.  He was a cherished, loved inspiration to us all, he cared about everyone, and he will be sorely missed.  

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, March 23 from 12-4 PM at the Wendel & Loecher Inc. Funeral Home, 27 Aurora St., Lancaster, NY.  A celebration of life will be on March 23 from 6-9 PM at Ripa’s Restaurant, 4218 Walden Ave. Lancaster, NY.  Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made to "Dick Young Heritage House", 10 Central Ave., Lancaster, NY 14086 - a non-profit designed to recognize, support and encourage Lancaster volunteers