James Baldwin Young

1933 - 2021

James Baldwin Young
11/24/21
James Baldwin Young passed away on Wednesday, November, 24th 2021 due to complications from Alzheimer's Disease. He was born in 1933 in Middletown, Connecticut on May 13th - "a day that never rains" - with the most beautiful blue eyes and a fiercely independent but loyal personality. Jim grew up on Miles Avenue in Middletown and told many stories of his adventures playing with friends in the nearby woods at Pike's Ravine. He attended Middletown's Stillman Elementary School and then his beloved Kent School in Kent, CT where he learned and exemplified all of their guiding principles - Simplicity of Life, Self-Reliance, Directness of Purpose. While at Kent, he excelled at football, hockey, wrestling, and crew, serving as captain and rowing competitively (and winning!) against Yale University at Henley in England. Later in life, he was honored by induction into the Kent School Sports Hall of Fame. He also attended Wesleyan University where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and played on the varsity football and hockey teams. He served in the United States Army in Counter Intelligence in their Pittsburgh, PA office where he met his soon-to-be wife of 64 years, Evelyn (Evie) Eld. After marriage, he and Evie returned to Connecticut where he attended the University of Hartford while working as night manager at Connecticut Printers in Hartford. Shortly thereafter, he joined his father at Young's Printing - a four generation, family owned business. Jim and Evie also owned and operated Cardinal Printers at Wesleyan University.
Jim and Evie raised two children, Diane and Steven, on Arbutus Street in Middletown where they were all blessed with many years of friendship with wonderful neighbors. Jim could often be found working in the yard, relaxing by the pool, riding his motorcycle on the neighborhood trails, skiing at Powder Ridge, swinging his clubs at Lyman's Golf Course, playing hockey on local ponds, or serving the best Beefeaters Dry Martini with a twist.
In retirement, Jim and Evie built their home on his grandfather's shoreline property - his beloved Sagamore Terrace. From the rocks on the beach, he created stone towers and frequently left them around the neighborhood for others to enjoy. While living in Westbrook, Jim became a talented woodworker, building and gifting clocks and other small pieces of furniture. He was a talented gardener often sharing his produce with his neighbors, family, and friends. Since childhood and all through his life, he loved boating on Long Island Sound frequently visiting Sag Harbor and Greenport, Salt Island and Duck Island. He and Evie enjoyed many years of membership at the Clinton Country Club where they played golf and socialized with many special friends. Jim and Evie were fortunate to have spent many years traveling and cruising to amazing destinations. Jim was always positive and looked for the bright side of any situation. He loved singing along to the Sound of Music, Man of La Mancha and other famous musicals. He was a man of integrity and kindness and was the ultimate gentleman, quick to help family, a friend, or even a stranger.
Jim was predeceased by his mother and father, Harold and Mary Young, his sister Mary Ann Byerly, his son, Steven, and a nephew, David Byerly.
He is survived by his wife, Evie (Eld), his daughter Diane MacKinnon and her husband, David; his daughter-in-law, Brenda; his beloved grandchildren Matthew and his wife Kri, Daniel, and Amanda; and his great-grandson, Golden. He also leaves behind two step-grandsons, Victor Martins and Branden MacKinnon, and five very special nieces - Linda, Sue, Chrissie, Karen, and Katie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Association.
Funeral services will be private and the family will hold a celebration of life on or around May 13th - a day that never rains.