Paul H. Young

Paul Henry Young, age 80, of Acton, died Tuesday, March 11, 2025 after a brief illness.
Born on March 11, 1945 in Boston, Paul was the first child of the late Henry McDermott Young and Helen Marie (Todisco) Young. Paul lived in Brookline until age 4, when the family moved to Acton. Paul attended Rose Hawthorne Central Catholic School in Concord, MA through the eighth grade, and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School in Waltham, MA. Paul was a member of the Boy Scouts, and served as an altar boy at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Acton. Besides Brookline and Acton, Paul lived for a time in Concord, MA; Maynard, MA; and Atlanta, GA.
Paul attended Boston College before becoming a Master Mechanic, a career he enjoyed for many years, during which he was a co-owner, with his father, of the Flying A (later Getty) service station at Reformatory Circle in Concord. Paul's career path changed several times: his jobs included tending bar; working in the telecom industry; and his final venture, before retiring, as owner of Paul Young Trucking. Paul was an active member of the National Guard for many years, and very much enjoyed the weekend maneuvers, particularly driving the Tank Recovery Vehicles. Paul could be very passionate about his hobbies and interests – especially the Red Sox. He thoroughly enjoyed attending Red Sox Fantasy Camp and offering predictions via his alter ego, "The Wizard of Baseball." Cantankerous as ever in his later years, when the Sox would disappoint him one too many times, he showed his displeasure by wearing a Yankees cap. He was an avid gardener, producing glorious flower gardens each summer. Paul's interest in vehicles went beyond cars and trucks to small airplanes (he earned his pilot's license in the 1990s) and his purple Harley Davidson motorcycle (affectionately known as Barney.) In recent years, Paul enjoyed spending time at the shooting range with his brother-in-law Mark. Paul was a presence in any room. He was a natural showman, which he displayed in his time as a bartender; when holding court on current events (or the Red Sox) at family gatherings; and when he was a Guest Conductor with the Boston Pops Orchestra, leading them in a rousing rendition of Stars and Stripes Forever.
Paul is survived by his daughter Paula Fletcher (Paul) of Maynard, MA and son James Young (Cheli Lange) of Florence, MA; and grandchildren Haley Simmons, Benjamin Simmons, Will Young, Jacob Young, and Milo Young. He is also survived by his siblings David Young (Debra Davies) of Chemainus, BC, Canada; Barbara Young of Maynard, MA; Martha Young (Vin Wolff) of Mountain View, CA; Diane Young (Kevin Reeds) of Annapolis, MD; brother-in-law Mark Wesley of Lancaster, MA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Michael Young of Redding, CA; and his sister Loretta Wesley of Maynard, MA.
Services will be held on Monday, May 12 at 10:00 am at St. Bridget Church,1 Percival Street, Maynard.
Paul relished working in his garden, not only for himself, but also because he loved sharing the beauty with friends and family, and sharing tips and planting notes with fellow gardeners. To honor his love of gardening, as well as his deep roots in the Boston area, the family suggests directing memorial donations to The Trustees of Reservations. The Trustees have created 56 community gardens in eight Boston neighborhoods, and many more nature sanctuaries throughout the state, enabling people without backyards of their own to find the same fulfillment and community in nature.
Donations can be made at https://thetrustees.org/support/