The Hong Kong WTE community mourns the passing of Thomas John Young, our dear brother in Christ and fellow traveller on the Walk to Emmaus.

On September 7, 2020, Tom, loving husband of Jennifer and father of Lauren, Connor and Liam, passed away at age 54 in Hong Kong due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Born February 26, 1966 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, Tom grew up with hockey sticks and baseball gloves in his hands and jokes on his lips, not always to the delight of his teachers. After graduating from Assumption High School, Tom embraced his maritime roots and headed to St Mary’s University in Halifax, where he majored in Business. After graduating, Tom decided Business could wait…he would travel for a year, and then return to Canada. He made it to two countries before landing and falling in love with Hong Kong in 1991. After meeting and falling in love with Jennifer Leung, Tom knew his Hong Kong would be his second home and busied himself getting involved in the community. Tom was an active member of the Hong Kong Softball and Ice-hockey leagues in the 1990s and 2000’s, and was an enthusiastic field hockey player from his mid-30’s to his early 50’s. He was an integral part of the Hong Kong Walk to Emmaus Community. The devoted dad was a parent coach at the HK Football Club when the children were in the mini-rugby program and followed them into Colts to manage one of the girl’s teams for a few seasons.

Tom loved deeply.  First and foremost, Tom loved his family and was proud of their achievements, personalities, and hobbies. Lauren, 18, will follow in her dad’s footsteps to attend St. Mary’s University next Fall, where she is looking forward to contributing her rugby skills to the Varsity Team.  She will no doubt hear Tom’s voice on the sideline pushing her to tackle and ruck and get the other girls!  Connor (17) and Liam (14) are also heavily involved with sports including rugby and football at the club and school, where both play hard and fierce like their Dad.  Friends were a close second: Tom had a close Hong Kong family, who were privy not only to his spectacular BBQ’s, but his trial recipes, jokes, bear hugs and frank advice. His lifelong love of sports never wavered, particularly if his team won the game!  But once the final buzzer went, Tom was the first to shake the opponent’s hands and offer them a beer. His laugh was infectious, particularly when he was in the middle of telling a story and dissolved into giggles.

Tom will also be remembered for his generosity. His big smile was matched with his big heart and he was generous with sharing what he had with everyone around him and reaching out to those in need. He donated food to church parishioners every Christmas. Christmas was also the time when Tom would annually invite children from Po Leung Kuk orphanage to share in the famous Young Family Holiday Feast.

In all his years in Hong Kong, Tom only missed one Rugby 7’s. Especially after starting Young’s Market in 2004, Tom became legendary for the food and drink he was bringing into the stands. While other people had their water bottles confiscated, Tom was shoving bags of Sangria (complete with cut up fruit) into the shoe compartments of his kids backpacks. Bagels and lox, smoked pulled pork wraps with coleslaw, BBQ ribs and even oysters still in their shells…Tom’s buffet helped console the Canucks in the crowd and ensured a steady stream of friends came to visit and say hello.

In May 2019, some troubling symptoms started to manifest in Tom’s left hand.  Following a few months of inconclusive tests and growing suspicions, Tom was diagnosed with ALS. Not knowing how quickly his condition would deteriorate, he took every opportunity to enjoy life with his family and friends: he visited London for the first time in October, opened his home to the annual Christmas gathering, and excitedly prepared for his role as the Lay Director to the subsequently-cancelled April Walk to Emmaus.  Friends would drop in to offer their support and catch up on old-times.  By May 2020, although Tom’s mobility had become seriously challenged, he still attended Lauren’s High School graduation.  In June, Tom attended his last party, surrounded by his beloved Hong Kong ‘Family’.  Shortly afterwards, he was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital, where he spent the majority of the summer.  Tom’s family was at his side as he left this world.

Tom is survived by his mother Marie O’Toole Young, brother Lawrence (Larry) Joseph Young Jr, wife Jennifer, and children Lauren, Connor and Liam. He is predeceased by his father, Lawrence Joseph Young, Sr.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at St. Benedict’s Church in Shatin, on September 29, 2020 at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to:

Remember Tom by carrying on his legacy.  Give a stranger a smile.  Reach out to people who need help.  Be a friend.  Challenge that referee or umpire.  BBQ those ribs.  Play a sport.  Tell a joke.  Cheer for the Habs.  Laugh loud.  Love God and your family, and cherish your life.