Frank P. Young, 87, executive

Frank P. Young, 87, of Lafayette Hill, former president of F.P. Young Oil Co. in Philadelphia, died of heart failure Tuesday, Oct. 11, at St. Joseph's Villa in Flourtown.

Mr. Young grew up in the oil heating business his family established in 1895. It was all he knew, he later told a trade magazine.

With the outbreak of World War II, his father, a member of the local Draft Board, suggested he learn a skill the Army could use.

So Mr. Young took courses in radio repair at Mastbaum Technical School after graduating from Northeast Catholic High School.

During World War II, he was assigned to an Army antiaircraft artillery battalion. Though he participated in action including the Battle of the Bulge, he told the trade magazine, he wasn't on the front lines and returned home safely.

After his discharge, Mr. Young worked in the family business. In his late 20s, he studied for the priesthood for more than two years at St. Joseph Seminary in Princeton.

When his father died, he returned home to run the oil heating firm with his brother George. assisted by their younger brothers, Joseph and John. For the next 30 years, he served the needs of residential and commercial customers and developed innovative management techniques including the use of computers and in-house training.

As president of the Philadelphia Fuel Oil Dealers Association, he was a lobbyist on behalf of oil heat at the local and state level.

After he and his brothers sold F.P. Young Oil in 1985, Mr. Young worked as a consultant for five years and contributed articles to trade magazines.

He served on the board of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association and in 1988 received its outstanding oil heat marketer award. He was also an active member with the Petroleum Marketers Association of America.

Since 1963, Mr. Young had been married to Therese Hanlon Young. They met at Split Rock Lodge in the Poconos on a weekend getaway sponsored by a Catholic social group.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Young is survived by sons Robert, John, and Jim; a sister; a brother, Joseph; and six grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct., 15, at St. Philip Neri Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, Pa. 19444. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Westminster Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd.

Donations may be made to the church or to St. Joseph's Villa, 100 Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, Pa. 19031.