Albert Young, Sr., The Original Cake Man of Buffalo

Albert Young, Sr.

The Celebration of life for our beloved Deacon Albert “Babe” Young will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Elim Christian Fellowship located at 70 Chalmers Ave., Buffalo, NY. The wake will begin at 10 a.m. with the Memorial Services immediately following at 11 a.m. Bishop Larry Thompson will officiate.

Albert Young was born in Dorchester County, South Carolina, Badham Community on April 21, 1940 to Wilson and Lucy H. Young. He succumbed to the holy will of the almighty God on November 11, 2023, at the Northgate Health Care Facility, Nash Rd, in North Tonawanda, New York. He was one of nine siblings: Willie B. Young, Herman Young and George Young; and sisters: Effie Simmons, Betty Fendley, Evelyn Young (Bob) and Martha Evans (Marcy).

Albert was launched into the work ethic of the rural south in his early life, and he and his siblings were fashioned in a sound religious foundation by his mother. He yielded to God’s Holy call on his life at the tender age of thirteen, and began playing the guitar, the piano, the drums and Hammond organ. He converted to the Christian faith and embraced his strong passion for music. Yet Albert never neglected an opportunity to declare his great gift of salvation. He was a baptized believer in Jesus Christ. He always wanted his life to reflect the love of God to all he encountered. That is why we gather to celebrate him today.

In 1949 Albert migrated to Buffalo, N.Y. with his family where he grew to be a man of distinction and great character. He was so respected and so loved.

Following his father Wilson’s lead for industry, Albert soon found his feet dug in at Buffalo Emerson Vocational High School, majoring in baking and cake decorating. Under the tutelage of instructor Victor Kapinski (who loved and treated him like a son) Albert continued to grow as a man in every way, building, learning, and earning.

Even in high school Albert created dedicated cake masterpieces as well as mouth-watering pastries, pies, cookies, donuts and other sweet delicacies that complimented a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk.

Victor Gapinski noticed his potential and helped in making Albert’s dreams and visions more real by hiring him in the family-owned Gapinski Bakery. Albert nurtured greater ambitions and began to build the bootstraps which would in days ahead be pulled up by his sons.

The day after high school graduation on June 25, 1960, Albert Young married his life’s treasure, his help mate, his precious jewel that he had found in the vestibule of his Mother’s church. Her name was Jean Alston, but Albert thought “Young” fit much better for her. So, he planted his name on her life, and his love in her heart. They began their journey together. Three adorable children were added to the union: Albert Eugene, Aaron Emmanuel, and Joseph Alan.

Albert Young spearheaded his own career in the baking field. Remembering one of his Father Wilson’s wisdom quotes, “If you own your own business, you will never have to look for a job.” Only reaching for the best in natural and super-natural service, Albert sought God’s guidance with his every step, having been elevated and ordained a deacon in his church (Young Tabernacle Holiness Church), and serving that office well, he also rose in the business world.

Completing degree studies at Erie County Community College in Culinary Arts, The Gates School of Cake Decorating, The Wilton School, The Betty Neuman May School and the world-famous Mary Howard Cake Decorating and Candy-Making School. Albert Young became an expert in the commercial wedding cake decorating styles of Lamberth and Africa Lace Techniques. His skill and artistry took him throughout the United States and into many countries abroad. He advanced from yellow and blue-ribbon contest wins to judging at cake decorating conventions.

As an instructor in his craft, Albert Young was decorated as a legendary Black man, a first and only of his kind in all of New York State. By his hands sweet tooths were satisfied around the U.S. and Canada, in military locations in Vietnam, Germany, Kuwait and during Operation Desert Storm. Albert trained cake decorators in the Buffalo, NY School System, the Buffalo Clarkson Center, in private venues and for supermarkets all over Western New York.

In 1998 Albert Young, along with sons Albert Eugene and Joseph Alan and wife Jean, opened their very own family bakery “Albert Young and Sons Cakes for All Occasions, Inc., at 1661 Hertel Avenue, North Buffalo, NY, bringing over 42 years of experience in baking and cake decorating to the business and the industry, a fete of honor, for sure.

Being stricken with a terminal illness in 1990, Albert Young once again sought the healing hand of our almighty God. Along with a bone marrow donation from his youngest sister Dr. Marcy Evans, a stirring, heart-wrenching story was built and recorded for medical history in a book authored by his “foreverand-eternity love, wife Jean, titled “Until I Hold You Again.” For the next thirty (30) years of his life, Albert Young was affectionately called “The Miracle Man” and/or “The Cake Man.”

Albert Young will be painfully missed and forever remembered as a Buffalo, NY legend.

Cherishing him to life: his adoring wife, L. Jean Young; son, Joseph Alan Young (Marilyn); Grandchildren: Phaahna, Racquel, Cedric, Avery, Jeremiah, Joshua, Renee, Albert, Damian, Orlando, David, Naya, Brandon, Bryauna, Dontae, Brinson; great grands; bonus family (Jeffrey and Stephanie Harris & five grands; God children; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, caring friends, neighbors and colleagues, co-worshippers in faith.