December 10, 1929 - May 16, 2022
Henry Young was born and raised in Hagensborg, BC, the middle of a pack of twelve, orphaned at twelve years of age, then entering foster care in Victoria until he signed out at age seventeen. He returned to the Bella Coola Valley to work as a logger. Two of his sisters dragged him to a revival camp meeting where he began a life-long relationship with Jesus, an encounter powerful enough that he left timber to enter and graduate from Canadian Bible College in Regina. There he met and married Bernice Bruneski (RN) and started a family in northern Alberta.
Henry lived a storied life. He was a preacher in multiple churches such as Terrace and Vernon, started two churches, was a missionary in the highlands of New Guinea, a care aid, a custodian with a boiler licence, and any other job to put food on the table. He never grumbled when times were hard or when he was hurt or betrayed. I saw him cry once. I wish he had cried more, but I don`t think he knew how.
He and Bernice had four children, and they passed to them a strong work ethic. Henry was a brilliant storyteller and one of his dreams was to write Western novels. Although he started correspondence classes (in secret), life interfered and that dream was never fulfilled. A fan of Western music, the sounds of Hank Snow, Meryl Haggard, and Johnny Cash were never far away.
Henry had a quick wit and temper but was never a complainer. He started his life hard, born into difficult and sometimes very hard times. Like many of us, he experienced great loss. But he finished well and softened greatly with age. He was deeply loved, and is absence is palpable.
Henry was a man of daily prayer. It was a living, breathing response to his deep relationship to God and to the world. Some would sit outside his room and eavesdrop because it was an honor to be present to his heartfelt longings, requests and confessions. It was holy ground. He never knew that others sometimes listened.
Henry brought to the world what he had, and offered it up to God whom he dearly loved. On May 16th, he gathered what he could hold, and headed for the high country. Without a doubt, all who knew him, know he was welcomed there with open arms, relentless affection, and country music. He is reunited with wife Bernice, son Stephen and granddaughter Jennifer.
Dad, your remaining three kids, eight grandkids, twenty great-grandkids, two brothers, three sisters, friends, and so many you touched along the way, know you made the world better by your presence. We love and miss you, but we know you are at home, as it should be.
Paul, Debbie and Tim
A private Graveside Gathering took place at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 10:00 A.M.
Funeral arrangements were made with BETHEL FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD., 5605-27th Street, Vernon, B.C. V1T 8Z5 250-542-1187.