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Geoffrey Young Obituary
Ewan - Geoffrey P. Young
Geoffrey P. Young, 69, passed surrounded by family on November 22, 2020.
Legacy
Geoff was born on June 29, 1951 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. A 1969 graduate of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, he then attended Glassboro State College, majoring in Biology and Environmental Science where he fostered his lifelong loves of learning, the outdoors, and animals. After receiving his degrees in 1973, he began teaching science at Pitman High School in Pitman, New Jersey, where he also coached golf, track, and freshman soccer, and founded the Environmental Club. Mr. Young was a dedicated and warmhearted teacher, ensuring that he connected with and cared for his students above all else, positively impacting the lives of thousands of students over the years. He retired from teaching in 2012, but still stayed on as volunteer Golf Coach at Pitman. Geoff was a decorated coach: voted Pitman Coach of the Year in 1995 and 2004 and was inducted into the Pitman High School Sports Hall of Fame in Dec. 2015, and the South Jersey Coaches Association Hall of Fame in March 2020. He was also honored to be awarded with Pitman High School Teacher of the Year on multiple occasions. During his retirement he spent extra time doing all the things he loved: sharing his great sense of humor with his family and friends, caring for his grandson, traveling with his wife, fishing with his son, reading, and singing in the Richwood United Methodist Church choir with his daughter. Even during his tough battle with Leukemia, Geoff never missed an opportunity to make someone laugh or tell a loved one how much he cared for them. He will be greatly missed.
Family
He was predeceased by his wife Jean Penas Young, parents William Daniel Young and Elsie Eugenia (Zepht) Young. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Messer, his daughter Gillian (Joe) Bruno and grandson Jayce, son Frank, stepson Taylor (Ellen), and sister Sharon (Peter) Brecher. He is also survived by loving in-laws, nieces, and nephews.
Farewell Tribute
Please check back for times and dates for a Celebration of Life Service in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations made in memory to Richwood United Methodist Church, or Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, or Heart of Healthcare Nursing Fund (designation "Center City/Methodist"), would be appreciated.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Geoffrey Young
Sponsored by McGuinness Funeral Homes - Sewell.
Jessica
November 22, 2021
Thinking of you Uncle Geoff today and always. Thank you for many lessons like reminding me to enjoy more in life and not stress so much. I miss you so much.
Gary Salus
April 23, 2021
I just tried to look you up as you were one of the few teachers that made a difference by just being who you are! I’m truly sorry to see that you have passed. By reading all the memories people wrote about you. I can see you had a huge impact on everyone that crossed your path. That’s a life worth living ❤ Rip Mr Young and thank you.
Ian Putnam
March 31, 2021
You end up with few true friends in life. Mr. Young was a true friend, one of a kind. He would do what it would take to help you, when you needed it. His generosity knew no bounds and that is hard to come by in a person. He was a sportsman, environmentalist, and a great teacher. He went above and beyond to help me and I'm eternally grateful and will miss his humor and good nature deeply. He touched the lifes of everyone whom he met and will be deeply missed. Hopefully he's enjoying the fly fishing up there, and catching some big ones.
Ian Putnam
March 31, 2021
You end up with few true friends in life. Mr. Young was a true friend, one of a kind. He would do what it would take to help you, when you needed it. His generosity knew no bounds and that is hard to come by in a person. He was a sportsman, environmentalist, and a great teacher. He went above and beyond to help me and I'm eternally grateful and will miss his humor and good nature deeply. He touched the lifes of everyone whom he met and will be deeply missed. Hopefully he's enjoying the fly fishing up there, and catching some big ones.
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Janice (Pierce) Seagle-Grink
November 29, 2020
Mr. Young you were so loved, admired and looked up to as a teacher, man and friend. I can speak for many of my school peers you were the best of the Best! My prayers to your family! Love and best memories of a great man.
Pam Reilly
November 29, 2020
Geoff was my beloved cousin and I will miss him and his warm hugs and large laughs and generous spirit. Recently, I loved stopping by for the night on our trips from Virginia to Cape Cod. He was the most generous host ever. All my love and thoughts to Liz and Gillian and Frank and Sharon and his whole extended family.
Roksanne Truman
November 28, 2020
Mr. Young left footprints in my soul, mr. Young was an amazing science teacher, loved all the animals he had in his class, I two years in a row during Christmas break brought home the hedgehog and one year a baby chick, mr. Young would spend extra time if his students needed someone to talk to, rest in peace mr.young your memories will still be with every student you had in your teaching career, to mr. Young's faimly my thoughts and prayers are with you all
Dawn Scalfaro
November 28, 2020
Geoff was a spectacular human! We had fun as teachers! He had such a great sense of humor! So sorry Liz & family.
Eugene Askin
November 27, 2020
I am so sorry to hear this.to his family.
Mr. Young was one of my favorite teachers. He will never be forgotten. I was in the Class of 1982 Pitman High. RIP Mr. Young
Phillip H. Stumpf
November 27, 2020
Mr. Young was an inspiring teacher. Above all was his humanity. He could make you laugh and he enjoyed a good laugh, all in the name of learning. I will never forget the day we walked into his biology class to see a sheep eye on each lab table. No Mr. Young. Needless to say, that was a risky move with freshmen boys fond of launching projectiles. Then, Mr. Young entered the classroom from the science office with gauze taped over one eye. Next, his colleague, also a great teacher, Mr. Henry, entered from the office, also with gauze taped over an eye. As we were falling out of our seats, Mr. Henry deadpanned some quick conversation with Mr. Young and left the room. Mr. Young cleared his throat, and in his most serious tone, began his lesson on eye dissection. Unforgettable, like Mr. Young himself. What an honor it was some years later when his son Frank revealed in my classroom that his dad was Geoff Young. Great memories came flooding back. What a great person and teacher. You were the best, Mr. Young! To the Young family and Geoff's closest friends, please accept my sincerest condolences. You have lost a giant.
Evan
November 26, 2020
I knew Geoff through his son and I had the pleasure of fishing with him many times. He always had a smile on his face and joke to share. He will surely be missed by many who knew him well or met him in passing.
As the sportsman/outdoorsman I knew him as, a donation has been made to Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ in his memory.
David Caso
November 26, 2020
He was an amazing person and a dedicated teacher. We were a wild uncontrollable bunch but he found a way to connect with us and have a positive impact that lasted. We need more Geoff Youngs. He will be missed.
Dylan DeSimine
November 25, 2020
So sad to hear. One of the few teachers who really left a lasting impact on me.
Kevin Barr
November 25, 2020
He was an amazing person and by far one of the best teachers Pitman School District has ever had.. my condolences go out to the family. Rest in peace.
Patricia Petrillo
November 25, 2020
So sorry to read this. I knew Geoff when he attended GSC.
Wayne Leman
November 25, 2020
Geoffrey was a friend and an environmentalist. He truly cared about life and had a passion for fairness. He will be missed and I will miss my visits with him on my once a year trips to new Jersey.
Meghan Penney Murphy
November 24, 2020
I’m so sorry to hear this. Mr. Young was a talented teacher and a good man. He will be missed.
Jessica
November 24, 2020
"In life, we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place, no one else will ever fill."
Sending prayers and comfort to all of the family. My Uncle Geoff made so many people smile, laugh and remind them not to take life so seriously. I will always admire my Uncle for that special ability. Thank you for always making me feel loved. I will never forget spending time with you, especially spending a few nights at your house. You grilled salmon for me and after dinner we watched Bones together, talking about life and enjoying dessert. I love you!
Love,
Jessica, Tony, Mikey and Franco
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