"He liked to go out and enjoy life," said Seth Ferguson, who graduated from Foxborough High School with Young in 1991. "He wanted to enjoy every minute."

At 6 feet, 5 inches, Young, known as Bob, played for Foxborough High's basketball team, and later played semipro football with the Hockomock Colts. Nate Chadwick, Young's friend and business partner, drove to New Orleans with Young to see the New England Patriots play in the Super Bowl last year. Young was so nervous when Patriots' kicker Adam Vinatieri stepped in to make the game-winning field goal that he covered his eyes and didn't see the play, Chadwick recalled.

Young, 29, lived in Taunton with his wife of one year, Jennifer, and their two dogs, said David Charbonneau, Jennifer's uncle. Chadwick and Young, who met eight years ago, started their own software consulting company and were about to relocate.

Young went to The Station with three friends, one of whom is still in the hospital, according to Chadwick.

Gary Hobel, a 1992 graduate of Foxborough High, said Young would do anything to make sure his friends were having fun. And he was always ready with a witty retort whenever friends tried to wriggle out of trip to a local club.

"It was always hard to say no to him," Hobel said.

EMILY SHARTIN