Meet the late Mr Lloyd Young Snr
Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
Lloyd Young SNR, who has the enviable distinction of becoming Jamaica's first bodybuilding champion in 1949, died at his MontegoBay home on Sunday night after a protracted period of illness, which had left him bedridden recently. He was 93 years old.
"We are sad at his passing, albeit we knew that he was quite sick in recent times," said Lloyd Young Jr, son of the esteemed philanthropist.
"He has accomplished quite a bit in his lifetime, so naturally we are very proud of the contribution he has made to humanity."
Young, who operated the successful MontegoBay based Lloyd Young Health Studio for several decades, was born on August 19, 1920, in MontegoBay to Chinese parents. His father was a shopkeeper and baker, and his mother a housewife.
As a youngster attending St James College in 1938, Young wrote his name in the annals of local high-school track and field, after he became the co-record holder for the 100 yards with Dr. Arthur Wint when they both did 10 seconds flat at Sabina Park during the Secondary Schools Athletics Championships.
At age 17, bodybuilding became a part of Young's life when he met his mentor, John Malcolm, who not only introduced him to the sport but also began preparing him to become the distinguished champion he grew to be, as well as a first-rate physiotherapist.
Much to the displeasure of his mother, Young established his own gym, Lloyd Young's Health Studio, at age 20. The gym subsequently became the longest active fitness facility in the entire Caribbean.
At the insistence of his mother and to match a 'dare' from a friend, young enlisted for World War II in 1943 and went off to Britain. In his war years, Young became quite accomplished in weightlifting, winning the Silver Shield, which was the highest award for physique posing in 1944. A year later, he has crowned the middleweight champion of Britain.
Before his return, Young gained a qualification in physiotherapy, which he combined with his weightlifting expertise to create a thriving business, which he then expanded into a health studio.
While practicing physiotherapy, Young's impressive clientele included former United States presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and George H Bush; renowned civil rights leader Martin Luther King; former Governor of Jamaica Sir Hugh Foot; Lady Sarah Churchill; evangelist Billy Graham; former Jamaican Prime Minister Donald Sangster airport; and movie stars Errol Flynn, Eddie Murphy, and Joan Crawford.
Humanitarian
On the bodybuilding side, young has produced numerous national and regional champions, including Chen Wint, Darrel Dixon (former lightweight professional wrestling champion), and the late Vincent Vanhorne.
On a humanitarian front, Young is a legend in MontegoBay when it comes to caring for the mentally ill and homeless people. Long before the Committee for the Uplifting of the Mentally Ill came to the fore, he was caring for the street people and gave them 'Christmas' morning breakfast for over 40 years.
As a result of his many and varied accomplishments in sports and philanthropy, Young has received numerous local and national awards including the prestigious Order of Jamaica. Three years ago, the St James Parish Council renamed the former First Street in Albion the Lloyd Young Drive in his honor.
He is My Uncle in-law
At one point I resided as his residence, he was a kind human being and very knowledgeable in International affairs. He had the key to MontegoBay as well as known by the rich and famous in America. He would feed the poor and the facility where the dire need citizen of Jamaica was, he would make sure their needs were met. I have experience is good work for society. Thanks to Uncle Lloyd Young SNR. I have now followed in his footsteps...
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