John Young

John Birmingham Young
John Birmingham Young of Rockport, Texas, loving brother, uncle, son, boyfriend, and friend passed away peacefully on August 25, 2018, after a long illness, on what would have been the 100th birthday of his beloved uncle and namesake. He is survived by his girlfriend, Theresia Woolsey, of Somerville, Texas (and her family), whom he loved dearly. The 7th of 8 siblings, he leaves five sisters and one brother; Roxanne (Richard) Pratt of Southport, NC; Carolyn (Tom) Hurtz of Fayetteville, NC; Bob (Christine) Young of Niantic, CT; Rosemary Swigert of Etters, PA; Suzanne Young (Jim Russell) of Waterford, CT; and A.T. Birmingham Young (Tom Marek) of Langley, WA; and was predeceased by one sister, Tracey Jacobsen Aniello (Len), and his brother-in-law, Mike Swigert. His wife, Melanie Grand, predeceased him in 2014. John is also survived by six nieces and five nephews (Bill, Peter, Ellen, Amy, Rich, Kim, Josephine, Catherine, Keith, Chris, Jess), and was predeceased by one nephew (Bob). He also leaves six great-nephews (Adam, Luke, Matthew, Rob, Nick, Kirby) and nine great-nieces (Amanda, Jessica, Samantha W., Samantha J., Skye, Devon, Kaylee, Camryn, Sara). Other survivors include his "chosen brothers" (lifelong cohorts for over five decades, Tim, Kelly, Al and Tom), several close friends in Texas (particularly Robert, Ray and Gloria) and two special four-legged.
John loved traveling, music, fishing, boating, kayaking, and telling a good story or hearing one. He was inquisitive, enthusiastic, and supportive, and his generous spirit was a gift for all who knew him. Among his special aptitudes was a genius for working with the material world. John first learned how to operate, repair and maintain equipment caring for the grounds of Avery Heights in Hartford, Connecticut, where he also apprenticed with the lead carpenter, plumber and electrician. He increased his technical skills working in tool shops in Hudson, Massachusetts and East Hartford, Connecticut. He honed his skills converting apartments to condos in Virginia and obtained an HVAC certification. He then went on to combine all these skills renovating properties and eventually built his own company. An accomplished independent contractor, builder, and real estate investor, John never stopped pursuing challenges and knowledge. After growing up in Hartford, Connecticut, and his early years back East, John found his way to Texas 35 years ago and never looked back.
John will be remembered for his kindness indeed, his ability to fix anything (and to talk others through fixes by phone), his boundless curiosity, his brilliant and creative mind, his encouragement and devoted support of people he cared about, and his ability to pick up most any instrument and play it by ear.
Memories of John and his hallmark dry wit, fiery passion, wild-man antics, silly impressions, courage, insight, wisdom, and generosity will stay in our hearts forever.
To honor John, enjoy your life! Pursue your passions and support those people and places and creatures you love. Private services were held in Texas in August; a memorial celebration of John's life will be held on the East Coast at a later date.