In Memory of Mark A. Young's Fundraising Page

Thank you for visiting my Giving Page in memory of Mark A. Young. Your gift will directly support Dr. Richardson’s innovative research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and provide an invaluable resource to the fight against cancer. Thank you for your thoughtful generosity.

Mark A. Young, age 64, of Natick, MA, formerly Virginia Beach, VA, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2024 after an eleven year battle with multiple myeloma. He was able to spend his final days with his wife, Laurie, and two sons, Alex and Matt. 

A curious mind at heart, Mark had an unwavering interest in getting to know everyone he interacted with. Whether it be at the office, on a trip to the bank, or an errand to the local market, Mark had an uncanny ability of leaving a “mark” on everyone he met. He would often say to his sons that it’s important to “pay attention to life”. Leading by example, he was able to retain the most intricate details about the people in his life. His attentiveness to others made him an exemplary father, husband, friend, and neighbor. 

Mark excelled as a student athlete, attending the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as Treasurer of Saint Anthony Hall Fraternity and was a member of the men’s heavy weight crew team. After Penn, he received his MBA at the New York University Stern School of Business in Manhattan. 

Mark had a successful professional career as a banker, where he worked at several banks including Manufacturers Hanover Trust in New York City, State Street Bank, and Citizens Bank in Boston. In 2007, he started his own advisory firm Grist Mill Advisors, after decades of building strong relationships in the publishing industry.

A man of strong faith, Mark was a devoted member of Pilgrim Church in Sherborn, MA. He served as treasurer on the church board and was a member of the memorial endowment committee. Mark loved continuing the traditions of his childhood, organizing potluck dinners and church-wide family weekend retreats on the Cape. He wanted his children to have these same experiences that were so important to him growing up. 

An avid reader, Mark enjoyed spending his free time searching for the next great historical biography. In addition, he took great joy in attending sporting events with his boys and sitting by the pool with his wife and best friend, Laurie. 

Mark was extremely stoic about his illness. He learned everything he could about his condition, multiple myeloma, and was a stellar patient. He was placed on expert patient panels by drug companies and was invited to speak at conferences held by those companies about his experience living with this disease. He became a mentor to others with multiple myeloma and shared his experiences with them in hopes of making their journey easier.

Mark is survived by his wife, Laurie (Elgas) of Natick, MA; his sons, Alex Young of Boston and Matt Young of New York City; his sister, Rebecca Stack of Montpelier, VA and her husband Raymond Stack; his father Ron Young of Richmond, VA; his Aunt Connie Young of West Chester, PA; his Uncle Ron Walters of East Patchogue, NY; his niece Sarah Stack of Richmond, VA; his nephew Christopher Stack of Charlottesville, VA and his wife Kayla; and multiple cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his wake, Saturday April
6th, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 PM at the John Everett Funeral home in
Natick, 4 Park Street. His funeral will be held Sunday, April 7th at 1:00
PM at Pilgrim Church, 25 S. Main Street Sherborn.