Prominent businessman Robert E. Younker dies at age 85

A funeral service will be held Thursday in Charlottetown for prominent city businessman Robert E. Younker, who died Sunday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at the age of 85.
Born in Kingston in 1924, he was the son of Owen and Elizabeth Anne Younker (nee Green).
After completing the final years of his education at the Charlottetown Business College, he pursued a career in the insurance industry.
Younker joined Canada Life in 1947 and held several positions within the company, becoming district manager for P.E.I. in 1953.
He retired as a branch manager in 1985 at the age of 60. Although he left that management position, Younker remained with the company until 2003. He did not fully retire, however, until 2008.
Younker's grandson, Matthew Younker, followed him into the insurance industry and now works with Younker and Kelly.
During his career with Canada Life, Younker served as a member of the Canadian Advisory Council, representing the Eastern Division for several terms.
He was an active member of the Life Underwriters Association of Canada and the Institute of Life Underwriters of Canada.
Active in the sports community, Younker spent much of his free time in rinks around P.E.I. where his sons played hockey and his daughter was involved in figure skating.
Passionate about hockey, he coached minor hockey for many years and served as president of both the junior hockey league and Charlottetown minor hockey. He co-founded the first P.E.I. hockey school in 1969.
Through hockey he made many friends, including legendary broadcaster Danny Gallivan.
Younker devoted much time and energy to volunteer organizations and service clubs. He served as chair or president of several of those bodies, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, Canadian Red Cross and the Rotary Club of Charlottetown. With Rotary he served as chair of the Easter Seals Campaign for a number of years.
Younker was a member of Trinity United Church. With Ruby Matheson he co-chaired the building committee for Spring Park United Church.
A veteran of the Second World War, Younker served with a reserve regiment in Charlottetown from 1940-41 before being shipped overseas. Following his return to Canada, he continued to be associated with the reserve army, holding the position of lieutenant.
Proud of his military service, he marched in the annual Remembrance Day parades right up to this year.
Younker met his wife, Phyllis, (nee MacFadyen) through his church in 1947 and married two years later, and they had five children, Bob, Colin, Bill, Betty Anne and Fred. Younker is survived by his children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by a brother Roy, a sister Florence, and by several nephews and nieces.
Visiting hours will be held at the MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel today from 4-7 p.m. The funeral will take place Thursday at Trinity United Church at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Sherwood Cemetery.