The entire Downhome family is mourning the loss of our founder, Ron Young, who passed away last week at 80 years of age at Agnes Pratt Long Term Care facility in St. John’s, NL. Ron, formerly of Twillingate, is predeceased by his parents, Cecil and Violet Young, and his brother, Gary Young. Leaving to mourn his wife of 23 years, Lila (nee Mercer); son Grant (Paula) and his children Shannon, Colby and Brianna; daughter Lolene and her children Zoe, Katie and Josie; stepson Jason Drennan (Amber) and his family.
Ron was still a beat cop with the Metro Toronto Police when he launched the Downhomer Magazine, in June 1988 from his home in Brampton, Ontario. With a small group of employees and volunteers, all homesick expats, he grew the magazine and the corresponding mail order and retail business. He spent his summer vacations touring Newfoundland and Labrador, taking pictures and meeting people to write about in every new issue. When he retired he made his dream come true – moving home and bringing the Downhomer with him. Under his stewardship, and with his son, Grant, by his side, Downhome became a true family-run success story, morphing into an internationally renowned publication and lifestyle brand that has influenced generations for over 35 years and counting.
Known for his quick wit and razor-sharp humour, Ron entertained readers for decades through his puzzles, prose, poetry and song, penning numerous works that beat with the heart of what it means to be a Newfoundlander and Labradorian. His fierce love and loyalty to his home province was unwavering, as was his affection for our tiniest outports to our thriving towns and cities.
He was a collector of friends and a connector of people. His door was always open and his phone was always on. For his friendship, his leadership, and his contribution to the preservation and celebration of Newfoundland and Labrador culture, Ron Young will be fondly remembered.
Ronald Edward Young
January 23, 1944 – December 6, 2024
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In accordance with the wishes of the family, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice in lieu of flowers.
Here is one of Ron’s favourite poems.
Ron Young – Out the Bay
Here the mirrored mist of morning
Over silent seas’s adorning
While the oars
Sweep, in creaking rhythm, dipping
Rising, rippling; drip, drip, dripping
As your rodney’s silent, slipping
From the shores
Past deserted, misted islands
Gliding through a shrouded silence
To the ground
Where no human foot has trod
Where the turbot and the cod
With a nod from groundfish god
Still abound
Unfolding fog – a ghost umbrella
While your hand-line ‘cross the gunnel
Whiles away
At a pensive, practiced pace
In this placid, peaceful place
This secret, silent, innerspace
Out the bay
The somewhere sound of seagull, screaming
Its revelry, transcending dreaming
Soul is awed
Far away from hate and greed
Far away from want and need
Far away from care and heed
Close to God
