Adventist leader, engineer Desmond Young dies at 62

Seventh-day Adventist leader, civil engineer, and businessman Desmond Young has died at 62, bringing to a close a life marked by professional distinction, national service, and steadfast commitment to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Young passed away on Monday, months after the Northern Caribbean University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Science at its 102nd Commencement on August 11 last year, in recognition of more than 30 years of contribution to engineering, development, governance, and Christian leadership.

Church and institutional leaders have paid tribute and offered condolences to his family, describing Young as disciplined, selfless, faithful, and deeply committed to excellence.

Pastor Glen Samuels, president of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, described Young’s passing as an immeasurable loss to the church and the nation.

“He was a tremendous resource. His reach and the depth of his service, his commitment, integrity, and professionalism all show the kind of man he was,” Samuels said. “So much was given in one person, making his passing a tragedy, but we believe in the hope of the resurrection.”

Born in Kingston, Young showed perseverance and determination from an early age. After losing his mother at 15, he remained committed to his education, attending Dupont Primary School, Cockburn Gardens Primary and Junior High School, Excelsior High School, and Excelsior Community College. He then pursued further studies at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, before travelling to Moscow to earn a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. Upon returning to Jamaica, he continued his academic journey, obtaining a second Master’s degree in Business Administration and International Business from the Mona School of Business and Management at The UWI. His journey from personal hardship to professional distinction became a defining part of his life story.

From his memoir, The Desmond Young Story: Where You Begin Does Not Determine Where You End, Young reflects on the perspective that shaped both his career and his personal journey.

“ I lived a fantastic life, one that started badly, with tragedies, disappointments, unfulfilled promises and with economic obstacles. God placed quite a few destiny helpers in my way to provide guidance that allowed me to be who I am today,” Young wrote. “ My approach to every event has been and still is, to face it, deal with it and move on. The past is the past, leave it there.”

With 24 years at the senior management level, Young led or significantly influenced major entities in both the public and private sectors of Jamaica. He said his 14-year tenure at Ashtrom Building & Systems Limited gave him a “solid professional background”. His leadership roles included chairman of The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, chairman of the University of Technology Faculty of Civil Engineering Advisory Board, acting general manager of the Urban Development Corporation, vice-president and later chairman and chief executive officer of New Era Homes 2000 Limited, managing director of Halicon Holdings Limited, and chief executive officer of Molodoy Development Limited. He also served on national boards and committees for housing, engineering, planning, and construction.

SERVICE TO GOD AND MAN

Pastor Everett Brown, immediate past president of the Jamaica Union Conference, said Young consistently used his professional gifts to serve Jamaica and the mission of the church.

“Desmond Young was an extraordinarily gifted professional who advanced Jamaica’s development and the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

“He unselfishly leveraged his expertise as a professional engineer and in corporate governance to assist his local conference, the East Jamaica Conference, and the wider church. He was a selfless Christian whose commitment to God, family, and community was second to none,” said Brown.

Young’s influence within the Seventh-day Adventist Church was equally significant. He served locally, chaired committees, and sat on the executive committees of both the Jamaica Union Conference and the East Jamaica Conference. He and his wife, Patricia, were also active in Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries, Junior Chapter, where they mentored young people.

He also applied his engineering and development expertise directly within the church, serving as chairman of the Conference-Wide Development Committee and as project manager for the Northern Caribbean University Church complex, while leading major projects across the Adventist community.

Meric Walker, president of the East Jamaica Conference, said Young’s impact would not be forgotten.

“Desmond Young was more than an intellectual giant, though not towering in physical stature; he was an architectural guru and a magnanimous philanthropist. He was the founder of the New Conference Order of property development. He will forever be etched on the walls of our hearts,” said Walker.

CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL

At Northern Caribbean University, Young was deeply valued.

President Dr Lincoln Edwards described him as “the consummate professional, a man of standards and integrity, who will be truly missed”.

Young served the university as project manager, pro bono, providing engineering and construction expertise without reservation.

“He was a committed and self-sacrificing servant of God. He led by example, and what an example of true stewardship he showed to all who knew him,” said Edwards.

His service was also deeply appreciated at Andrews Memorial Hospital, where he served on the board.

Donmayne Gyles, president and chief executive officer at the hospital, said Young brought wisdom, leadership, and a collaborative spirit to the institution.

“Desmond Young had been a man of great wisdom and leadership, especially in his field of civil engineering.

“We have made great strides in improving the quality of our buildings, but more importantly, he was a man we could all relate to, share common interests with, and work within the pursuit of excellence. He will be deeply missed,” said Gyles.

Young’s work earned several national and professional honours, including the Jamaica Institution of Engineers’ Excellence in Engineering Award in 2008, the Eastern European Graduates Association Outstanding Graduate Award in 2015, and the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service to the Nation in 2022.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Patricia, and their adult children, Kimone and Desmond Jr.