Richard J. Young, 89 years of age, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025. He is predeceased by his loving Wife, Jean E. Young and beloved Daughter Brenda Young. Richard is survived by Daughter Karen Cardillo (Paul Cardillo (Husband), Stephanie, Melanie, and Rachael Cardillo (Grandchildren), Son Richard Young (Kara Young (Wife), Cohlton (Lindsey -Wife), Walker Young (Grandchildren), Clemons (Great Grandchild), Son Stephen Young (Jennifer Young (Wife), Delanie and Makenzie Young (Grandchildren).
Richard Young (Dad, Pop Pop, Grandpa, Dick, Coach) was a devoted husband to his wife Jean Young since1957, and a loving father to his children and grandchildren. He was a Physical Education Teacher, Football, Swimming, Lacrosse Coach, and a Swimming Official for over 50 years. He was an avid fisherman, golfer, Buffalo Bills fan, and enjoyed spending the day at the beach reading James Patterson books. He and Jean loved to travel and spend the winters at their home in Florida. After retirement from the Rush Henrietta Schools, Richard ran the Kershaw Waterfront in Canandaigua for 25 years.
Richard was very active in his grandchildren’s lives. He taught them how to fish, swim, and was their greatest fan as he and Jean attended all their sporting events, proms and graduations.
Richard also leaves a legacy of many tremendous accomplishments to include the Induction into the Section V Rochester Chapter for Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s Swimming (Coach & Contributor), Men’s Football (Assistant Coach), and National US Swimming Officials Association (High School, Collegiate). Although Richard’s life was full of love and many accomplishments, his greatest passion was the teaching and mentoring of so many within the Fairport, Rush Henrietta and Canandaigua communities. He was very dedicated to positively impacting children’s lives.
Friends and Family are invited to Calling Hours at Keenan’s Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd. Fairport, NY 14450, on Friday, September 12th from 4:00-6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Red Cross.
Checks Payable to:
American Red Cross
PO Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037-0839
Memo Section: Centennial Aquatics Program
22 responses to “Young, Richard J.”
Coach young was instrumental in my football career at Rush Henrietta. He was a great motivator and great person. I will miss him dearly.
I first met Coach Young the Summer before my Freshman year. I joined the swim team over the summer. I could swim but was not there to win swimming races. I was looking to be able to use the Sperry weight room to be able to play football better. Coach Young would always ask me what my bench press was as I walked by his office. Usually up 10lbs per month. I recall helping coach my backup centers the week I sprained my knee. After seeing how challenging it can be to have other players do as they have been instructed. I looked to coach and asked how do you get through to these guys. He smiled and he said it is hard than you think.
Thank you Coach for all the time and effort and encouragement you put in to making others better players/people.
Coach Young was a great teacher and friend to all of us in the 80s at Rush Henrietta. I am so happy that he lived along fulfilled life and left beautiful family members to carry on his legacy.
Sad,Thanks for everything coach!! Such a great guy. As an athlete and colleague he was always a really nice guy who understood kids and how to speak with them. Sad…
Coach was my supervisor for several summers when I was a lifeguard at Kershaw. I loved that job and he was a huge part of the reason why—he treated us/talked to like adults even though we didn’t always rise to the rise to the occasion! He was a good guy and I’m sure he had a positive impact on countless teenagers.
Dick was a wonderful man and a great neighbor. We will miss him and his smile in the neighborhood. He always had a smile for everyone.
We had the best coaching staff ever coach young was the nicest guy who could push you to do your best without raising his voice ❤️🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 God bless his entire family
I remember coach once saying , if you make this block you’ll get a cupie doll. I made the block and I still haven’t seen the cupie doll. I still don’t know what a cupie doll is. Athletes used to clown around in the locker room we were told not to snap towels at each other. Being a delinquent I ignored that order and found my self being chased by Coach Young through the showers with a towel of his own. For an old guy he could move pretty quick. One of many lessons learned, I remember when his daughter passed away I never did offer my condolences like many of us we didn’t know what to say. If you can see this Coach thanks for everything.
Coach was the best. The swim team was the center of my teenage years. It and his example led me to follow him into teaching and coaching. It has been a wonderful ride and I have him to thank.
When Dick was working at Kershaw, I used to stop in just to say hi and reminiscing about our time spent teaching together. He will be missed.
Dick and I coached football together for many years at RH. His contributions to Section V athletics and the hundreds of young lives he impacted are immeasurable. He loved his family deeply and was a dedicated leader and role model for all who knew him both professionally and as a friend. Rest in peace my friend🙏
Coach Young taught me how to swim at RH Sperry pool. He asked me to help him the his special needs swim class. I was honored. He then taught both our kids to swim at Kershaw Park. He hired our daughter and to work at Kershaw in high school. He was an absolute joy to keep in touch with. I admired his dedication to his wife and family. I am honored to have him touch our lives!
I am saddened by the passing of Dick. I had the pleasure of doing Dick and Jeans taxes for over 30 years. They were great people and with his passing they will be together again.
Marsha Loope, CDW Group. Henrietta, NY
To call someone ‘nice’ is a mild cliche, but Dick Young carried such an aura of humanity and positivity that meeting him just elicited a reflexive smile to match his own. Whether on the lacrosse field during his coaching career, in the stands after his retirement, at a social event or a random social encounter, reuniting even briefly with Dick would be a rewarding occasion. His friendliness and obvious pleasure at meeting you will remain my favorite memory of one of our community’s ‘nicest guys.’
My mother always said that teachers and coaches can make or break a kid. Coach Young was definitely the kind of coach who MADE a kid! He was the best! So much respect for this man. Thanks for helping to “make” me! Blessed to have had him in my life
Dick was a wonderful neighbor and friend at Rosepark-always smiling! I spent many visits over coffee at Kershaw which he kept running superbly!
He will be missed and never forgotten.
Coach was an amazing man. He was my boss at Kershaw
For quite a few years and it was never run the same when
he left. He cared about what he did and it showed. He was
always there for his staff and never let us get away with
anything. He was a great boss and friend. RIP Coach Young
Dick Young is proof that there are still heroes in this world!
A blue chip human being, a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather and a legendary teacher and coach! A special man that will be remembered forever! I loved coaching his two sons. RIP Coach and keep smiling!
Love Randy and Gayle Garrett
We were so very sorry to learn of Dick’s passing. Dick and Jean were wonderful neighbors at Yacht Club Cove. Dick always had a huge smile on his face whenever we’d see him on the street and in later years near Kershaw Park. May memories of time spent with Dick bring his family and friends comfort.
Sal and Anita Pietropaolo
My condolences to the family of Dick and Jean. Kindest regards John (jack) Callaghan
Sad to hear of the passing of coach Young, my condolences to Jean and the entire family. Coach young was one of our P.E. teachers and Football and swimming coach in the late 60’s in East Rochester. Great Coach and person! I also had the pleasure of coaching his son Stephen in Vince Lombardi football in Fairport, he was committed just like his dad and a great kid and player. Coach Young was one of my many mentors that led me to a successful career in coaching. RIP Coach
I knew Coach when I worked Canandaigua City Parks and Rec. He always took care of me and I loved hearing his stories of his family. He was so proud of all of his children. He is fondly remembered.