Written by Emma Elise Hill Rose (née Young) - his only child
Courtenay Hill Young FRICS
Beloved father, grandfather, husband, friend and property man
My father lived life to the Absolute Full.
Frankly he wasn't ready to go at all, and we all thought he would easily glide past 100.
He was 92 when a painless and unexpected brain haemorrhage hit.
His passions were....laughter, work, film making, fun, well crafted jokes, photography, theatre, reading, television dramas/comedies, public speaking, property, music hall, old films, musicals and radio.
Extraordinary man. He made a film called "The Great Bank Robbery" in his 20s and won a 'best film maker' award from Sylvia Simms. He went to college aged 70 to learn video editing so he could do our wedding video.
He was an enthusiastic hypochondriac.
He was the first of his chums to go abroad (don't forget he was born in 1929) - foreign travel was a new thing. He was hooked.
Luckily with his terribly important job of being in charge of worldwide property for the General Electric Company, he travelled the world extensively (on their pound, bingo)
He was transfixed by the USA and was ridiculously fortunate in marrying an American nurse, Vera Louise Schmetgen.
They had a very happy, eventful, fun packed married life living between South Kensington in London and Leigh On Sea in Essex.
Always going at least twice a year to California to see all Vera's wonderful family. He couldn't believe his eyes that he was now in a family who owned and worked an Orange Ranch in Terra Bella - cowboys and dust balls, just like the b/w films he watched as a boy. The other side of Vera's family sold their orange ranch to Walt Disney in LA - which they have had a long association with to this day. Farming and Glamour.
His beloved beautiful sister Annette and her family moved to Mississauga near Toronto in Canada in 1971.
We enjoyed trips there almost every year - packed full of adventures, alcohol, boating and loads of swimming as the house sat right on Lake Ontario. He always organised a swimming gala for us cousins at the end of every holiday, and would stand there dressed as Neptune holding the pool scoop as his trident.
He surfed, golfed, snow+water-skied, played tennis, rugby ...and havoc. We were due to go on our annual surfing holiday to North Devon in the summer. He and I still used our grandparent's wooden boards.
He was fascinated by history, etymology, airport check in times, technology, WWII - anything and everything really.
His bizarre doodles on a giant pile of A4 pads (always at hand), would give a Psychiatrist a field day.
He loved shouting at Newsnight on the telly, and never missed the 10 o'clock News or Coronation Street (Episode 1/1960). He did the Daily Telegraph crossword every day and the Times at the weekend.
He has a massive collection of Punch & Judy etchings, paintings and sculptures (deary me).
He has been forced to like 'Art', to learn 'cool street lingo', to really really think about 'Black Lives Matter' and to stroke cats.
He became a dedicated member of St Mary The Boltons in South Kensington and St Saviours Church in Westcliff on sea - often driving "the old people" to the 8am Sunday Service. Actually he married my mother, his first wife there. He and I were very fortunate that his first and second wives love each other.
He also loved our medieval village church in Wellow near Bath - here we got married and had our girls christened. One year he stepped in during a Nativity show to play Joseph, which was wonderful, if not slightly bizarre.
Also, he was an incredibly generous (secret) philanthropist.
He married my darling mother, Lesley in 1961, but they split very quickly - which was for the best.
His second wife Vera was the absolute love of his life. They were about to celebrate 50 year together. Everyone adores Vera, and I know all the friends will continue to support her.
I am his only child (at least, I think I am). I am an artist. Before I evolved into a painter, I always worked in the Arts in London . Most of my career was spent in theatre, film, television and dance - which he absolutely loved and hugely enjoyed coming to First Nights, Royal Galas and dingy Soho screening room along with collecting me from the Pineapple Dance studio at least an hour too early so he could 'look for me'.
He also thoroughly enjoyed the semi-professional theatrical troupe I was a member of in London. Coming to every single show (all musicals). He especially loved seeing my friends on stage and at parties.
Mind you, he was initially completely flummoxed when I didn't follow him into the Property world.
Well, he was still running his property 'empire' when he died, so now finally, I have followed him.
He absolutely loved and respected his Grandchildren, Delilah 21 and Genevieve 19. He was desperately proud of them - not just their intellect and beauty, but for their creativity, kindness and humour. They were great sparring partners. They taught each other a lot.
As I write this, Genevieve (19) is doing her 1st year exams at Bristol University and Delilah (just 21) is doing her Finals at Birmingham University.... both reading History. Which 'Grandpa' was thrilled about.
He was rather in awe of his son in law, John, my husband - they were like chalk and cheese, but he was hugely impressed with his Oxford educated brain, his cooking (Shepherds pie EVERY visit), work life, poetic and musical ability (especially as Courty 'couldn't carry a tune in a bucket' as Vera would say)
He loathed cooking and dogs. He did like eating (not dogs).
The funeral will be at St Saviours Church, 33 Kings Road, Westcliff On Sea, Essex SS0 8LL, lead by the wonderful Rev. Judith Wilkinson.
If you would like to come to the church, it would be lovely to know - use the links above. Also, Daddy loved blue - so try and wear a hint of it.
Please don't waste money on flowers - a charitable donation would be far more appreciated.
I'm tempted to nominate Battersea Dogs home, but no...
So, please do think of giving a donation to the absolutely wonderful local charity The Peaceful Place, who help people of working age with Young Onset Dementia. See above - for the Donate Page, where you can also leave sweet messages.
Warm sad wishes to you.
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