Glenmuir past student laid to rest
Published:Thursday | August 11, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer
MANDEVILLE, Manchester:
Jovial, fun-loving, always smiling, humble - those words were used to describe D'Angelo Young, who died in a gruesome road accident on Trafalgar Road on July 27, along with his friend, Dayne Lawson.
D'Angelo's funeral took place at the Oakland Memorial Chapel in Mandeville yesterday. A huge crowd came out to pay its respect to the 21-year-old who was well known for his love for football, fast cars and parties. People in attendance included business persons and popular figures from the May Pen community, as well as the Glenmuir High School and Sporting Central Football Club family.
D'Angelo was the eldest of three sons for May Pen businessman Garth Young and his wife, Adrion. The family is well known in May Pen as D'Angelo's grandparents operate one of the oldest businesses in the town, Young's Pharmacy, located in Young's Plaza.
He was remembered as a happy little toddler tagging along with his father at football games and other community events. The father-son relationship between the two was admired by many as his father gave him strong support in his endeavours, especially in football.
D'Angelo attended Glenmuir Prep School. Mary Brammer, former principal, watched him grow as she was also his neighbour at one time. With tearful eyes, she said: "He was a good student, he took part in all school activities, from Cub Scouts, football, karate - he was very mannerly."
D'Angelo, like his father, went to Glenmuir High, where he excelled in his first love, football.
"He was a member of the triple crown Under-16 team that won in 2006 and also played on the daCosta Cup team that year," Glenmuir High coach, Warren Simpson, said.
D'Angelo moved on from Glenmuir and was attending Barry University in the United States. He, however, came back on holiday and represented Sporting Central Academy Football Club in the JFF Under-21 football competition.
As coach Simpson disclosed, "I don't know if I am being too superstitious, but every year for the past three years, D'Angelo and other former players, his friends, would come out from the States in the summer and train with the team-D Cup. This year was the only year since they left school that they didn't come to train."
His close friend, Mario Williams, a former student at Glenmuir, remembering D'Angelo, said: "He was fun, outgoing, spontaneous, real friendly. He would make anybody's day."
An uncle, Andrew Bennett, brother of Adrion Young, reflecting on the last conversation he had with his nephew, said: "It was the day before he passed away. We were talking about football as usual. He was saying that he believed that the Jamaica team (Under-23 football team) was going to qualify for the Olympics and that he was going try out for the team. But if that didn't work, he would try for Sporting Central (Academy).
Dayne's funeral was held later yesterday afternoon.