Michael Thomas Young

Michael Thomas Young (79) was a great friend, businessman, scholar, devoted husband, caring father, and loving grandfather. His kindness, good humor, and kinship made all feel welcome and seen in his company. Michael died peacefully on May 4, 2024, surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer. A long time resident of Providence, Rhode Island, and recent resident of Matunuck, Rhode Island, Michael was the son of Dr. Daniel D. Young and Pauline A. Young. He was born in Providence, spending his earliest years on Francis Street, upstairs from his father’s medical practice. The family relocated to Warwick Neck, where they enjoyed a stately home. Years later, the Youngs returned to Francis Street. Michael attended Henry Barnard School and Classical High School before attending Brown University. At Brown, Michael studied International Relations and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, where he made a number of lifelong friends. Upon graduating from Brown in 1966, Michael chose to enroll at the US Naval War College in Newport, RI, where he studied to become a commissioned officer in the Navy. Shortly after completing his studies, Michael was assigned to the USS Forrest Royal, a Gearing-class destroyer, and sailed to Vietnam in 1967. Upon returning from Vietnam, Michael was stationed in Mayport, Florida, where he met his wife of 53 years, Bonnye Elaine Coleman. Michael left the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander. Bonnye and he married in 1970, and the two relocated to Philadelphia, PA, where Michael enrolled at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, earning an M.B.A. in International Business. Following business school, Michael and Bonnye relocated to Warwick, RI, where Michael started his career at Industrial National Bank (which became Fleet Bank). During his twenty-year career at Fleet Bank, Michael rose to Vice President, leading the London office twice before settling permanently in Rhode Island. Michael left Fleet Bank in 1990 when he became President and owner of Coleman Realtors with partners David Coleman and Bob Swift. Michael loved being a small business owner and building Coleman Realtors to be a top firm in the state. He also had the privilege of serving as the President of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors in 2005 — a post that earned him the Lear Award for leadership and community involvement from the Greater Providence Board of Realtors. In 2016, Michael and David sold Coleman to Mott & Chace Sotheby's International, where Michael's daughter, Sarah Collins, works today. In addition to his professional endeavors, Michael gave his time as a trustee at Trinity Repertory Company and on the Board of Governors at The Dunes Club. Michael was a world traveler who visited many destinations across the globe while always having a special affinity for London — the city, the people, the food, the culture, and, of course, the bitter. He was an impressive intellect with a passion for history and world events. He was an avid reader of The New York Times, The Financial Times, and The Economist. He enjoyed the Beatles, Paul Simon, and British marching bands. He loved the Saab 900. Lunch was his favorite meal, preferably with friends and a glass of unoaked chardonnay, and he possessed the most amazing ability to remember numbers in series and an even more impressive ability to add or multiply them with remarkable speed and accuracy. Michael loved the Rhode Island coastline, whether from his childhood home in Warwick Neck, the bridge of a destroyer, the helm of a day boat, or the deck of his favorite place on earth — The Dunes Club. Michael was drawn to the ocean and found peace and joy amidst salty air and crashing waves. Michael will be remembered for his kindness, his wry sense of humor, and the wonderful and permanent connections he made with so many people throughout his life. Michael is survived by his wife, Bonnye; his sister, Suzanne Young Murray, and brother, Daniel Young; his children, Scott and Sarah and their spouses, Katie Young and Tim Collins, respectively; his four grandchildren, Peter Young, Jackson Collins, Caroline Young, and Hunter Collins; and his beloved dog, Zuzu. His sister, Paula Andrew, predeceased him. The family would like to thank friends and family who visited during the final months and hospice nurses and social workers who supported Michael and the family throughout. A celebration of life will be held at The Dunes Club in Narragansett, RI, on Thursday, May 30. Public visiting hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a private event to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Brown University.