Franklin I. Young

Who was Franklin I. Young?

Franklin Inglee "Frank" Young was a pilot and pioneer of early aviation in Canada.

He was born in Toronto in 1909 and was educated in Toronto. In 1927 he began flying in Hamilton, Ontario and piloted with various charter companies until 1932 when he became a bush pilot for Dominion Skyways. In 1937 he joined Trans-Canada Air Lines and during World War II he acted in a key role with TCA's Atlantic Ocean operations. Young flew several inaugural continental and transcontinental flights while with TCA/Air Canada. He also played a role in shortening flight paths for TCA/Air Canada flights. Young later became the General Manager for Air Canada's eastern region, retiring in 1970.

Young was appointed to the Toronto Transit Commission in 1970 and was elected Chairman by his fellow Commissioners in 1972, following the retirement of Ralph Day. Young was a member of the TTC during the critical period when the TTC voted to retain streetcars in Toronto, which led to the rebuilding of 173 PCC streetcars and the development of the Canadian Light Rail Vehicle as the new streetcar for Toronto.

Young died on October 11, 1973 and was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974.