Obituary of Captain Earl G. Young, Jr.

Captain Earl G. Young, Jr. passed away peacefully with his family on Sunday, July 19, 2009 at Overlook Hospital in Summit at the age of 82. Born in Brooklyn, NY on January 17, 1927, the sea and ships have been in his blood since he first went to sea at 4 years of age and joined the Merchant Marines in the spring of 1944, serving until 1947. He came from a long line of merchant mariners, dating back to the Revolutionary days. He was deployed on Liberty ships through the North Atlantic, serving the supply line for the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. After leaving the Merchant Mariners, with the rank of Third Mate, he was called up for an apprenticeship with the Sandy Hook Pilots of New Jersey. He was a pilot for twenty-seven years, retiring in 1979 due to illness. Aside from his life at sea, he was a man of many talents, including an expert craftsman of nautical furnishings. He was commissioned by President Lyndon B. Johnson and the King of Norway in 1972 to craft a piece that represented American art. He also sold his furnishings to Abercrombie & Fitch fro the rich and famous on Madison Avenue. Devoted husband of 59 years, he is survived by his wife, Maureen, two children, Gordon and Kathy and three grandchildren, Tristan, Samantha and Gordon. With all his success, nothing meant more to him than his love for his family, Viewing and funeral will be held from 1- am to 12 noon with the service held on 12 noon on Friday, July 24 at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung. Friends will be received Thursday, July 23 from 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be sent to Just Compensation Committee of the US Merchant Marines Combat Veterans of WW II, PO Box 1705, Santa Rosa, CA 95402.