Gene Young of Colts Neck Dies at 88

As he would put it, Eugene (Gene) William Young "passed this veil of tears" due to complications of a recent stroke on Friday, April 5, 2013. He would have turned 88 on May 9.

Gene had been living in retirement in Colts Neck, NJ. There he spent his days doing yard-work and tending his many cats, aided by his gardener Luis and his housekeeper Evonne. Gene always lived life on his own terms, and saw the world from his own unique perspective. He is remembered for his sharp wit andhearty laugh.

Born 1925 on a farm in Parsippany, NJ, Gene was the second of eight children. At age 16 he joined the Marines, fought in the Pacific in World War II, and then served with the US advisory forces in China. He came home, got married, attended college on the GI Bill, had three children, and bought a house in Lake Hiawatha, NJ. On vacations, he would go fishing in Quebec with his brothers and lifelong friend, Cliff Feuerbach.

His working career consisted of working for Allstate Insurance and various NJstate agencies. In 1966, Allstate moved his family to South Jersey. They lived in Red Lion, Tabernacle, and Lumberton. Gene got involved in local politics, and worked on the gubernatorial campaign of Ray Bateman.

His son Roger was hit by a train in 1971 at age 23, and his wife Elizabeth (Betty) Young (nee Grieder) died of a stroke in 1986. He is survived by his sister Dorothy Doremus (husband: David) in Jaffrey, NH; his 3/4 brothers David Young (wife:Ginny) in Long Valley, NJ, George Young (wife Dolly) in Blairsville, Georgia, & Richard Young (wife: Shari Jones) in Seattle, WA; his daughter Robyn Birchall (husband: Bud) in Erial, NJ; his other son Regan Young (wife: Thomasina) inMount Holly, NJ; grandchildren Sean Mays (wife: Athena) in Cranbury, NJ, Bonny Jean Clayton (husband: Anthony) in Pitman, & Tosha Birchall in Erial; and five great grandchildren.

Gene's family will hold a private memorial dinner on his birthday.