Robert H. Young, 92, Dies; Oversaw Sports Programs

Robert H. Young, 92, died Nov. 30 in North Carolina.

Born in Southold, NY, he was a son of the late Marguerite Howell and William Emmett Young.  He was also preceded in death by brothers, William Emmett Young, Jr., John Donald Young, and sisters, Priscilla Lyndes and Phoebe Cushman.

He  graduated from Southold High School and continued his education earning a B.S.E. from Cortland State Teachers College in 1949, an M.S.E. from Hofstra University in 1953, and a Director’s Certificate from New York University in 1960.

After graduation from high school, Robert entered military service in the US Army Air Corps, serving as a radio gunner.  Following graduation from Cortland State Teachers College, he  began a lifetime of work with  youth as a recreation director for the Suffolk County Second Supervisory BOCES in 1949-1950.  Robert then became the Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation for the Island Trees Public Schools in Levittown, NY from 1960-1965.  For the next 16 years, until his retirement in 1981, Robert served as the District Supervisor of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Athletics, and Health Services for the South Huntington Union Free School District.  Following this tenure, Robert served in an administrative capacity for NYS Public High School Athletic Association, Section XI.

Mr. Young  gave his energy, talent and acumen to many professional affiliations and activities to include NYSAPHER, AAHPERD, Section VIII and Section XI committees, Special Olympics, March of Dimes, and the South Huntington Teen Center.  In 1984, Robert was inducted to the Cortland “C” Club Hall of Fame. In 1987, Robert and his late wife of 68 years, Audrie Thomas Young, retired to Etowah, NC.

He is survived by two daughters, Robin Young Sears and husband Peter, of Woodstock, NY, Cynthia Young Sadrakula and husband Michael, of Bedford, NY and Flat Rock, NC, and two grandaughters, Taylor Young Sears and Elizabeth Lee Sadrakula. Additionally, many nieces and nephews survive.

A celebration of life and interment in the Cutchogue, NY cemetery will take place in the Spring of 2019.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Robert Young ’49 can be made to the Cortland College Foundation, P.O. Box 2000, Cortland, NY  13045, or Special Olympics New York- Long Island Chapter, 560 Broadhollow Road, Suite 106, Melville, NY 11747.

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