Obituary of William John Young

Young, William J., "PaPa" 91, of Ruskin,Fla passed away December 16, 2008. He retired as oil terminal superintendent at Atlantic Terminal, Inc, Newington, NH. He was a member of President Commission for Fire Prevention and Control, in which this elite chosen committee published a report titled "America Burning", He was past master of the Grange, Piscataqua County, NH, the Shriners, with particular efforts in specialities in fundraising for burn victims and units, the Kiwaniis Club. He was recognized for 35 years as Fire Chief Volunteer. He was presented the Gold Key of the City by the mayors of Manchester and Concord, NH. He was the town moderator, school board member, budget commissioner and the first fire chief of Newington, NH. He was the head of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs and active member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs of America, past president of Mutual Aide which designated the emblem for fire chiefs, which was designed by Lucy Young and presented the award which replicated "The Old Man in the Mountain". From 1957 to 1974, he was the State of New Hampshire Fire Warden. He was the Catholic Charities director, advisory board of directors for the Lutheran Ministries of Tampa, Board of Directors for the Community Action Agency for Ruskin, Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors for the Wimauma Cannery, Head of the Ecumenical Migrant Ministry Network, Past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus at St Anne's Church, Co-Director and Founder with his wife, Irene of Daystar Life Center at St Anne's Church. He presented the bill to President Lyndon Johnson for every home to have smoke detectors. He volunteered for over 25 years in Ruskin and devoted his time and talents to his friends and family and was awarded Ruskin's Volunteer of the Year. He served as Coordinator of Public Services, where he scheduled, supervised, encouraged, counseled, and directed individuals to donate public service hours to help them complete and obtain employment; providing them with dignity and self respect. He worked directly with Catholic Charities, Catholic Social Services, FEMA, private donors, Florida State Job Services, Hillsborough County Clerk Offices, Probation Department, Hillsborough County Sheriffs Council, and the neighborhood watch. Bill's philosophy was that all of the people in need are entitled to be treated with respect and love in helping with each individual's need. Each individual being coupled with the remedy for their particular situation that whenever possible, working directly with Monsignor McNulty, Father Fitzgerald and Bishop Larkin. It appears to us all that they completed these difficult loving challenges together with great success and ease. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter, Kathy Lynn. Survivors include his beloved wife of 35 years, Irene, two sons, Robert and his wife, Lucy, and Donald and his wife, Carol, two daughters Debra Eldredge and her husband, Thomas, and Gail Moulton and her husband, Timothy, his loyal and patient best friend, Justin Lundquist, 11 grandchildren, Mary, Kenneth, Guy, Susan, Tracy, Carrie, Kimbrali, Bethany, Tiffany, Ryan, Courtnay, 23 great grandchildren, and his devoted golden doodle, "Lola". The family will receive friends 4 to 6 pm Friday, December 19, 2008 with a wake service at 5:30 p.m. at Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive, Sun City Center, Fla. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, December 20, 2008 at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4450 County Road 579, Seffner, Fla. with Father Christopher Fitzgerald officiating. Memorials may be made to the Institute of Charity, P.O. Box 1218, Seffner, Fla 33583.