YOUNG, Gordon Maurice "Moe": Moe Young passed into his forever sleep December 8 2014. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Marie Montgomery and John Fredrick Young, his brother Fredrick Young and his first wife Donna Jean. Left behind to celebrate his life are his wife of 30 years Sheila Adams and their blended family Debbie (Nigel), Nancy, Shauna (Dale), Sharon (David), John (Linda), 10 Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren as well as his sister Jean Edwards (91 years young) and her family. Moe started his life in Regina, Saskatchewan March 23, 1928, the youngest in his family. Moe's passion was sports including hockey and golf. Hockey became his primary focus. He first played with the Regina Abbotts as a Junior Hockey player (1942-1945), then the Pats assumed the franchise (1946-1947). He turned professional with the Boston Bruins organization and played for the Tulsa Oilers 1948-1951 then the Tacoma Rockets 1951-52. During that time he suffered one of his many major concussions that included a stick hit to his right eye leading to loss of sight. In the fall of 1952, he went to Trail as playing coach of the Smoke Eaters where he stayed until 1955. In 1956 he moved to Kelowna to join the Packers and stayed with them until 1959. He was one of the major team members during the Packers' eight game tour of Sweden and Russia in November 1958. In1958 the Kelowna Packers won the Western Canadian Championship and made it to the Allan Cup Finals placing runner up to the Belleville McFarlands. Due to the overall achievement in 1958, the Kelowna Packers were selected to carry Canada's name in the International Hockey Exhibitions in Sweden and Russia in November 1958. They were the first Canadian team to play Canada's national game in Russia. And the Packers won the tournament! Moe won many awards during his hockey career. He was second in the WHL total points race in his final year with the Packers in 1959. He won the Most Valuable Player award in 1952 and 1953, and was coach of the WHL all-star team while he was in Trail. The Fans of Trail wanted him so badly a public subscription was taken up to buy his contract from Boston while he was still in Tacoma. When Brian Roche went east to play hockey halfway through the 1960-61 season, Moe took over the Kelowna Junior Buckaroos as coach and lead the league to the final against Kamloops. In November 2008, Moe along with his 1958 Kelowna Packers teammates were the first team to be nominated and selected by the Sports Legacy Committee to the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame Museum in the Team category. During his off season in 1951, Moe won the position as captain of the Willingdon Cup Golf team for Saskatchewan held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Moe was also the non-playing captain of the BC Willingdon Cup gold team in 1953. Moe always felt one of the highlights of his golfing career was playing with Stan Leonard on his Regina Tour at the Wascana Golf and Country Club. When Moe arrived in Kelowna in 1955-56 he joined the Kelowna Golf and Country Club with a 2 handicap. He went on to win the Low Interior Amateur in 1958, the Ogopogo Open and then won the Kelowna Golf and Country Club Open Championship in 1963. Moe was president of the Kelowna Golf and Country Club 1963-1964. Moe had many varied experiences in both work and travel. He sold cars winning the Master Salesmanship Award in BC in the middle 1950s, and was the Sports Director and Local Sales Manager for CHBC, including the nightly sports report. He also tried his hand at being his own boss. Above all he valued his family. We will all carry many happy memories of his keen sense of humor and welcoming home, especially in his many happy years with his amazing wife, Sheila. Moe's family thanks Dr. M. Bobyn for amazing support and to all the wonderful caring folks who looked after Moe at the Good Samaritans Mountainview Village Care home in Kelowna. In keeping with Moe's wishes there will not be a funeral. Moe's immediate family will be gathering at a later date to share many happy stories. In lieu of flower please feel free to make donations to Alzheimer's research or charity of your own choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com 250-860-7077.
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