Ronald D. Young, Former CEO of MetroWest Boys & Girls Clubs

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FRAMINGHAM – Ronald D. “Ron” Young Of Brownsville, VT and Palm Springs, California passed away at his Palm Springs home on December 2, 2021.

Ron grew up in Watertown, where he was active in athletics from an early age. Baseball at Victory field with his friends was a love of Ron’s early years. He treasured his lifelong friendship with Richie Green of Beverly.

During his years at Watertown High School, Ron was an integral part of several state championship teams in both track and field as well as cross country. His athletic abilities earned him a track scholarship to UMass, Amherst, MA, where he graduated in 1962.

Ron later earned a M.Ed graduate degree from Springfield College, Springfield, MA in 1981.

Ron spent his entire professional career with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He rose through the ranks with the Boston, MA, organization, becoming Executive Vice President and CEO for eight years.

After retirement from the Boston Clubs, Ron accepted an offer as President, CEO of the Metro West Boys & Girls Clubs and served for 10 years.

A 43-year career enabled Ron to help hundreds of young people to achieve their dreams. Ron was a passionate Boston sports fan and treasured his Boys & Girls connections to owners and management of the Red Sox and Patriots teams.

In 1987, Ron met his future wife Jan at a social function at the Harvard Club in Boston.

We married in 1988 and enjoyed 33 years of companionship, adventure, travel and sports. I often say that Ron married me because I loved sports and knew how to play golf and tennis. He in turn grew to enjoy wine and food pairings, my business world.

Ron was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 62 and valiantly fought this disease for nineteen years. Ron exercised until the last weeks of his life, never wanting to give in to the disease.

We want to thank the many physical therapists who gave Ron hope to go on, specifically Luke Gentry of Movement for Life, Cathedral City, CA and Johanna Flynn of Mt. Ascutney Hospital, Windsor, VT.

We also want to thank two caregivers Annemarie Benway of Bellows Falls, VT and Kathryn McLeer of Palm Springs, CA for their devotion to Ron during the last three years of his life. We want to thank physicians Dr. Alice Flaherty of MA General Hospital, Boston, MA, Dr. Neil Hermanowicz of Christus St. Vincent Hosiptal, Santa Fe, NM, Dr. Stephen Lee of Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital, Lebanon, NH and Dr. John Legge of Desert Regional Hospital, Palm Springs, CA, for their compassionate support of Ron and me throughout these nineteen years. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Joseph D. Young Sr. and Mildred Patricia McDermott, as well as by his brothers Joseph D. and Wayne S. Young.

He is survived by his wife Jan Swallow; Jan’s sisters Ann and Nancy; brother Peter and wife Cindy; Ron’s sister Barbara Young Calnan; her children Debbie, Pam, Sean and Brian; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As well as his brother Joe’s widow Mary, their two children; Andrew and family and daughter Heather.

Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro West, 169 Pleasant St., Marlborough, MA 01752 or Ardent Hospice, 1750 E. Arenas Road, Suite 21, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

No services have been planned by the family at this time.

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