Rev. John Merrill Young

1933 - 2025

Rev. John Merrill Young

Boscawen, NH - April 16, 1933 – August 8, 2025

Rev. John Merrill Young peacefully passed away August 8, 2025 in Manchester, NH. He was born April 16, 1933 in Millis, MA to Alfred and Lempi (Wiano) Young. John enjoyed a small-town childhood, skating on the local pond playing hockey. John excelled in basketball at Millis High School, providing bursts of scoring off the bench. Well into his 40's his running, right-handed hook shot proved impossible to block, even by high school players in the 1970's. John graduated from Millis High School in 1951, and Gordon College in 1955. He continued studies at Boston University then graduated from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1959 with a Master's in Divinity. John's first marriage to Lois (Wilson) Young produced 4 children. John was pastor of American Baptist Churches starting in Bowdoinham, ME, where he met lifelong best friend, the late Hartley Douglas, who inspired John's love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing. John accepted the calling from Baptist Churches in Southbridge, MA, Beaver Falls, PA, and for many years at Market Street Baptist Church in Amesbury, MA, then in Vermont. He retired and settled in Boscawen NH and lived with his fourth and final wife, Virginia "Ginny" Braley Young, from 1997 until her death in 2017.

John continued his mastery of languages even in his final years, reading and studying Greek and Hebrew. He also spoke German and French. An avid outdoorsman, he harvested ducks, rabbits, deer, pheasant and wild turkeys, hunting into November 2023 with his son Eddie. A successful gardener, John sold berries in Boscawen, and later pumpkins in Concord NH. John was a great fan of Boston sports teams, especially reveling in the Celtics championship teams, admiring their team-oriented passing offense and swarming defense.

John was pre-deceased by his parents, brother Richard Young of Buzzards Bay MA, son Michael J. Young in 2005 and daughter Melanie A. Young in 2024. John is survived by a brother, Frank Young of Fayetteville, NC, sister-in-law Elaine Young (Richard's widow), daughter Joanne Cleaver and her husband Mark Cleaver of Mint Hill, NC, son Edwin M. Young and fiancé Heide Shields of Derry, NH and grandchildren Samantha Cleaver and her husband Reuben Nantogmah, Stephanie Six and her husband Matthew Six, Elizabeth Cleaver and her husband Andrew Harrington, Cassandra Young and her partner Marc Beaulac, Julia Young Pawlik and her husband Sean Pawlik, and Melissa Wiano-Young, as well as eight great-grandchildren. John is also survived by eight nephews.

The public is invited to a funeral at United Church of Penacook, 21 Merrimack St, Penacook NH on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Interment of ashes will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Boscawen in a private family gathering.