Obituary of Chester Ronald Young

It is with deep sadness, and thankfulness for a long and healthy life, that the family of Chester Ronald Young announce his death on December 15, 2024, at the age of 95 at the Loch Lomond Village, Willow House. Chester was born Sjouke Tjitse Jongsma in Zeist, The Netherlands, on January 6, 1929. He was the eldest child of Tjitze Jongsma and Cornelia Jongsma de Jong. His given names were passed down through his father’s family in Friesland. Chester remained fiercely proud of his Friesian ancestry throughout his life. Following his move to Canada, he discovered that his Friesian name was too challenging for the Canadian tongue. He chose Chester instead, as it is closest in pronunciation to Tjitze. His Dutch surname “Jongsma”, means “son of Young”.

In addition to his parents, Chester was predeceased by his sister, Irma, his niece, Connie, and his nephew, Ronald, all of Holland. Grieving Chester’s death are Margot, his loving wife of 33 years, his four children, Ronald (Mary), Carolyn (Louis), Susan (Gene), and Maureen (Mike), and their mother, Louise, eight grandchildren: Amy, Caroline, Eric, Luke, Stephane, Sam, Riley, and Ben, 4 great grandchildren, and his nephew, Rob (Anja), in Holland.

Chester lived a full and interesting life. During his childhood, he experienced firsthand the atrocities of WWII in Nazi-occupied Holland. In order to protect Chester as much as possible, at the beginning of the war his mother procured falsified papers which showed Chester to be one year younger than his actual age. It was not until several years after the end of the war, that he learned his true age. Chester’s father was involved in the Dutch resistance, and at times, Chester was called upon to carry messages in his shoes, although he did not fully understand what he was doing or the risk involved until much later. Despite the horrors of WWII, Chester and his friends freely roamed their home town and frequently got themselves into all kinds of trouble and hijinks. Throughout his life he took great pleasure in sharing the stories of their escapades (i.e., playing hopscotch on live bombs, trying out submachine guns against the brick school building, and other more general mischief). We, his family, marvel that Chester survived childhood, and often wonder if his parents knew what he was up to when he left the house each day.

During the post-war years, life in Holland remained very difficult as the country rebuilt, and following his mandatory military service in the Royal Dutch Navy, Chester and his first wife, Louise, immigrated to Canada in 1953. They built a new life in Edmonton where their four children were born. During his 16 years in Edmonton, Chester held several different jobs, including working in Chornell’s Pharmacy, Atlas Lumber, Northern Asbestos and Building Supplies, the Edmonton airport, and the Imperial Oil Refinery. While living and working in Edmonton, Chester completed his university education, and in 1969 the family moved to Saint John, NB, when Chester was offered a position as a history professor at UNBSJ.

Chester traveled extensively throughout his life. He was a music aficionado and a natural storyteller with a life-long passion for reading, history, politics, and current affairs. He turned these passions into a 28-year career teaching American and Russian history at UNBSJ. His early life experiences, his travels, and his gift of storytelling made him an engaging lecturer who brought history alive for his students.

Margot would like to thank those she lovingly refers to as “her tribe”- the family and friends who were always available to provide whatever support was needed during Chester’s declining physical health and dementia journey. To Chester’s caregivers at home, to Drs. Luan Le, Denise Amirault, and Christian Mackin, and to the staff and families at the Loch Lomond Village, thank you. Your care, kindness, and compassion warmed our hearts and will always be

remembered.

Arrangements are under the care of Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis (506-849-2119).

Family, friends, and others whose lives Chester touched are invited to a celebration of his life at Grace Presbyterian Church on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 11am, with a reception to follow. A private dispersal of ashes will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Loch Lomond Village Recreation Department, the Loch Lomond Villa Foundation, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

For those unable to attend, Chester’s service will be livestream and may be viewed by clicking the provided link: 
http://www.youtube.com/@GracePresbyterianChurch/streams

To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. Thomas Campbell