Sanibel Island, Fla. – Local real estate magnate Barry Young died March 9 while vacationing at his Florida home.
Young owned the Area 1 Real Estate Ortonville and Goodrich offices, and was responsible for multiple local developments, including Mill Pointe Shores in Goodrich, Maple Shores in Atlas Township, and the new Broad Oaks Estates in Groveland Township.
Born at the former downtown Goodrich hospital to Joanne (Nique) and Donald J. Young, he grew up in the home of grandparents Zoa and Arnold Nique.
He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and brother Gregg. Stepmother Mary Young of White Lake, Mich. survives him.
Friends who gathered Wednesday at Young’s Ortonville realty declined to list Young’s age.
A graduate of Brandon High School, Young completed studies at General Motors Institute in Flint, according to his grandparents? wishes, said Terry Cadarette, who continues to operate Area 1 Real Estate along with manager Dan Wright and a sizeable staff.
Despite Young’s engineering education, his grandmother’s properties spurred an interest in real estate. After working for former Ware-Piddington realtors in Brandon Township, he opened Barry Young & Company 30 years ago.
The company was later renamed Area 1 Real Estate, with a second Goodrich office opening 12 years after the first Ortonville office.
Because Young generally left day-to-day operations in the hands of Area 1 staff, business will continue as usual, said Cadarette.
Young was well-known in the real estate community, said Wright, despite his ambitious nature.
‘He was a competitive person, a fighter,? said Cadarette. ‘If there was competition he was going to step up to the plate, but he was the most generous guy.?
‘He was a very generous man and well-liked by the people who knew him,? said Jeff Dawley, owner of Atlas Real Estate in Goodrich.
Young often held realtor’s continuing education workshops at his Atlas Township home on Lake Shinanguag, Wright said.
An avid car, train, and antique collector, he owned two rare Amphi-vehicles, which can run on land or in the water.
Young frequently invited unsuspecting guests for a ride, said Cadarette.
‘He’d drive toward the lake and say, ‘Oh no, I lost my brakes,? and drive into the water.?
When boaters exclaimed over the amphibious vehicle, Young, pretending to be lost, would ask for directions back to M-15.
A non-stop multi-tasker, Young had a reputation for never missing a call, taking two calls at once on cell and land lines, even carrying on conversations during dental work, said his staff.
Among his friends, he was known for his ‘wacky ways?, his love of the limelight, and an outrageous wit.
Lee Steinhoff, of Direct Properties.com in Goodrich had worked with Young for more than 30 years, designating him as son Kyle’s godfather.
‘Barry was a very colorful person who lived life to its fullest,? said Steinhoff, calling Young his best friend, a ‘brilliant business mind? and a great teacher.
Young donned Batman outfits every Halloween, pulled Ski-Doos with his limousine, and planned to install a tunnel on his property for a train he’d purchased.
‘If I’m going to go, I might as well cast a shadow,? he was fond of saying.
After selling a home to singer Kid Rock, the two became good friends, said Cadarette.
Young shared Thanksgiving dinner with the singer and Pamela Anderson, and wore a costume to deliver the gift of a red-and-white classic 1966 Cadillac.
‘The car was stored here. He dressed as Santa Claus and drove to Kid Rock’s house, said Cadarette.
‘He got stuck, and Kid Rock and Pam Anderson’s kids came running out to the car, yelling, ‘Santa, Santa.??
Young’s classic Lincoln, a favorite model, was featured on a Kid Rock video and CD cover, says Cadarette.
Young also used vehicles from his classic car collection’which numbered more than 40’in Brandon and Goodrich high school parades.
Close friend Cal Gatesman of Fenton, who served as Young’s attorney on several occasions, says Young was kinder than many realized and will be missed.
‘He didn’t really toot his horn,? Gatesman said. ‘He did things for other people that nobody knew about.?
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 15 at the Sherman-Wilk Funeral Home, located at 135 South St. in downtown Ortonville.