Archie Young, born August 27, 1935 in Vineland, New Jersey, passed away November 14, 2023. He was predeceased by both parents of Northern Ireland. William Young, 1987 and Eveline Hanna, 2006. Archie was also predeceased by his brother William "Billy" Young (Judy), 2019.

Archie was the oldest of three siblings. He is survived by his sister Margaret I. Sowers (William).

Archie met Peggyann Caldwell on December 18, 1956.  They became engaged on December 25, 1957.  They eventually married on July 9, 1960.  They knew each other for 52 years and were married for 48 years until Peggyann's passing on November 29, 2008.

Archie and Peggyann had 4 children.  Their first child, Carol Ann, died at 7 months of age on September 15, 1962.  They went on to have 3 more children; Steven William, Robert Archie (Lynne), and Nancy Ann. Archie & Peggyann were the very proud, and extremely happy grandparents to their only grandchild, Megan Elizabeth Young (2019 graduate of Wake Forest University and 2022 graduate of Temple University's Beasley School of Law).

Archie was also the loving grandfather to family pets including, Tandem & Ginger (the dachshunds); Max & Samantha (the cats); Bubba (the humongous goldfish); Honu (the turtle), and his beloved Bailey the Pug.

Archie graduated from the Murrell Dobbins Vocational-Technical School in June of 1953, with a vocational diploma in cabinetmaking. After graduation, he went to work at Zeke's Autobody Shop in order to earn and save money to go to college. In 1957, Archie started his academic studies at Penn State University.  For his first two years, he attended the Ogontz Campus located in Abington.  His final two years were spent at the university's main campus in State College, PA.  During his years at Penn State, and particularly when he lived in State College, Archie became a huge fan of Penn State Nittany Lion football and coaches Rip Engle and Joe Paterno. Archie graduated Penn State University having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering on December 9, 1961.

Archie began his professional career at SKF Industries on December 11, 1961.  He spent his entire career as an applications engineer for SKF focusing on spherical roller bearings until his retirement in 2008, which included 47 years of dedicated service. One of the true highlights of Archie's career and one that he always spoke very fondly of was the time he spent training, and mentoring the many young applicant engineers that were hired by SKF each year.  Another highlight of his career was the many times he had the opportunity to speak and travel with the many outstanding SKF sales personnel, in which several became his dear lifelong friends.

Growing up in Germantown, Philadelphia, Archie, as well as, his family were members of the Third Baptist Church of Germantown.  He and his family attended church regularly; which is how Archie became involved in the Third Baptist Youth Group.  Being a part of the youth group, Archie and his siblings met many different people, in which many became wonderful lifelong friends.  Until recent years, this group of Third Baptist friends met annually at Christmas to celebrate the season and their friendship.

When Archie and Peggyann moved out of Philadelphia in August of 1970, they became members of the Willow Grove Baptist Church. They both remained members until their respective passing.  Both enjoyed regular church attendance at their respective Sunday School class, as well as the weekly Sunday church service.  Peggyann and Archie believed that volunteering and giving back to the church community was a very important part of their worship.  Peggyann worked as a teacher for 3 and 4 year old children for many years. While also teaching, she was an active volunteer for the annual Vacation Bible School program.  Archie's interest and knowledge led him to eventually become an usher, and a member of the Church Council, where he served as a member of the finance team. The members of the Willow Grove Baptist Church community played an extremely important part of Archie's life. Throughout the years, his many friendships at Willow Grove developed companionship, connection, and compassion.  In recent years when his health began to decline, it was his strong faith, trust in God, and his church family that sustained him through his most difficult times.

An avid sports fan himself, when Archie became a father, he was eager to involve himself in his children's pursuits. When Steve and Rob were in elementary school and all through high school, Archie coached his sons' local little league team.  From the late 1970's through the early 1980's, the Young White Sox and the Young Yankees were a formidable force; consequently winning multiple championships. In later years, when Nancy was in elementary and middle school, Archie assisted with her gymnastics and her summer swim team named the Sunny Willow Gators.
It should also be noted, that when his granddaughter Megan began playing sports in elementary school, "Pop-Pop Arch" was a constant fixture and cheerleader on the sidelines for every soccer, basketball, and softball game through Megan's high school sports career.  Near or far, travelling was never a problem.

Archie also found great enjoyment in playing sports himself. In his early years, he was a member of the SKF baseball team and throughout his adult life he was an avid member of the Glenside Baseball Dart League. Win or lose, Archie was the ultimate sports fanatic.  When it was within his power, he never missed a Penn State football game, an Eagles football game or a Phillies baseball game.

Archie loved to travel, but more than that, he loved to travel with his family.  In fact, if you didn't travel with the children and extended family, it wasn't a vacation in Archie's eyes.  He may have quietly grumbled at the length of an airline flight or a road trip, but being the family man that he was, Archie always put his family first. He took his children, as well as his extended family on trips full of adventure. The trips were filled with memories that would last a lifetime. Some of his favorite places to vacation were London, Northern Ireland, the American West, Hawaii, Bermuda, Ocean City, and New Hampshire. On all of those annual long road trips to New Hampshire and when driving his daughter back and forth to Penn State, Arch had many hours to listen to some of his favorite music, as well as to discover a love of new musicians over the years. If you had been in the car on any of those memorable road trips, you would've most certainly heard the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli and The Three Tenors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Archie's name be made to Willow Grove Baptist Church.  Visit the church's website (www.willowgrovebaptist.org) for various ways to give online OR send your memorial contribution to the following mailing address:

Willow Grove Baptist Church
3600 Welsh Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090