Vend Broker Jerry Young Dies At 83

NEWTON CENTER, MA -- Jerold "Jerry" Owen Young, a vend broker veteran, died on May 4. He was 83.

Young worked in the food and beverage brokerage business for more than 60 years. He served as president and chairman of Harold W. Young Inc., a brokerage started in 1927 by his father, Harold, who had been the New England sales representative for the Sweets Company of America, the progenitor of Tootsie Roll Industries. Today, Jerry's daughter, Betsy Harris, and son, Andy, are co-presidents of Natick, MA-based HWY.

During its almost 90 years in business, HWY has won dozens of trade awards, including induction into the Candy Hall of Fame. It helped to establish several national networks for professional product brokers, including Premier Broker Partners, which represents the vending and "alternative" channels. Jerry became HWY president in 1975.

Jerry was "respected for his knowledge, integrity, innovation and sense of humor," his obituary read.

Services for Jerry Young will be held at the Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard St., Brookline, MA, on Friday, May 6, at 11:30 a.m. Interment at Atereth Israel Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA. Following the interment, a memorial observance will be at the Clubhouse at the Gables, Dedham St., Newton, MA, through 6 p.m. Memorial observances will continue at the family residence on Sunday and Monday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. In celebration of Jerry's love of life, donations may be made to the Jerold Young Fund at Brigham & Woman's Hospital, 116 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02116, or the charity of choice.