John P. Young, Jr. "Jack", 77, of South Windsor, beloved husband of Mary (McCauley) Young, died peacefully on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 10, 1939, in Worcester, MA, son of the late John and Anne (Prohovich) Young. John grew up in West Boylston, MA and graduated from Wachusett Regional High School in Holden, MA. He served our country in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. John married the love of his life, Mary McCauley, on July 9, 1960, and together they raised a family in Webster, MA, Colchester and South Windsor, CT. He worked in the Aircraft Industry most of his career. John was a prominent civic advocate, where he served on the Colchester Board of Education and was a volunteer Fireman and EMT Instructor. For those that knew and loved him, he was a model of a life well lived. He had a wicked sense of humor mixed with warmth, sincerity and an affinity to problem solve. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from John during his 77 years. Among them were how to make the best French onion soup, always be on time, never care what people think of you as long as you are happy, what to do if you step on a skunk and, most importantly, patience, respect and how to love with all of your heart. Along with his wife, Mary, and sister in law, Patricia Kepler, he leaves his children, John P. Young III, Paula A. McCabe and her husband Patrick, Thomas B. Young and loving spouse Judy Hemphill, Richard M. Young and his wife Cathy. Kathleen G. Young and Melissa M Young and her loving spouse Geoffrey Richon; a brother, William H. Young, two grandchildren, Steven and Katelyn; a nephew, William and two nieces, Allison Kepler and her husband Michael, Amy Klein and her husband John and his two beloved shih tzus Buster and Becky. He was predeceased by his son Craig Nelson Young and daughter-in-law Cindy Young. His family will receive friends on Sunday October 30, 2016, from 2 - 4 p.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 31, 2016, 11 a.m., at St. Margaret Mary Church in South Windsor, CT. Military Honors will follow. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to , 127 Washington Ave., 3rd Floor West, North Haven, CT 06473 or at mda.org