Lester J. Young

Lester J. Young (Les) 73, of Fairfield, beloved husband of Gail (Hutcheon) Young, passed away on May 30 after a courageous battle with vascular dementia.

He was born in Stamford, CT on June 24, 1950 to the late Lester J. Young, Jr and Lorraine (Thompson) Young.  Raised in Rowayton, he was a graduate of Brien McMahon High School, class of 1969.  After graduation, Les joined the U. S. Navy and attended basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois.  Upon completion, he was assigned as a gunner’s mate to the U.S.S. Wallace Lind which was home based in Pearl Harbor and made tours to Vietnam and other shores.  Les was honorably discharged in 1971 and began a lifelong career in the automotive industry.

He was employed by Darien Auto Center as a technician for several years.  He then continued his career at Mercedes Benz of Fairfield which later became Penske Auto Group.  He retired from the Mercedes Division in October 2019 after 30 years of service.

Les was actively involved in many bowling leagues in Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk until he found his passion for golf.  He could always be seen at the area golf courses, especially at Smith Richardson with his Sunday morning golf foursome.  He always looked forward to his next vacation that revolved around golf.  Les carefully tended to his vegetable garden every summer and was very proud of how many tomato plants he could squeeze into the space. One summer he declared he wasn’t going to plant as many tomato plants as the previous year as it was a lot to take care of.  So instead of 40, he only planted 38.  He was also a longtime parishioner of Holy Family Church in Fairfield. 

In addition to his wife Gail, he is also survived by his sister Leslie Ezzo and brother-in-law Carl Ezzo.  His sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sally and Bob Sluga, Linda and Charlie Glines.  Nieces and nephews, Nicky Rosa, Emily Sluga, Robbie Sluga, Charlie Glines and Chelsie Glines.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Lester and Freda (Herring) Young, maternal grandparents Robert and Anna (Slaninka) Thompson.  His father-in-law and mother-in-law George and Mildred (Jordan) Hutcheon, grandmother-in-law Mildred (Wanko) Jordan and great uncle-in-law, John Wanko.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bridges by Epoch Trumbull and Vitas Hospice for Les’ care.

A wake will be held on Friday, June 28, 3-7:30pm at the Frank Polke & Son Funeral Home, located at 39 South Benson Rd, Fairfield.  The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 29 at 10:30am in Holy Family Church, located at 700 Old Stratfield Rd, Fairfield.  The Rev. Norman Guilbert, cousin-in-law will be the celebrant.  Military honors will follow at the Church. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Family and St. Emery Parish, 70 Laurel Street, Fairfield, CT  06825. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lester J. Young, please visit our floral store.