Obituary of Bernard Ivan Young

LINCOLNVILLE — Bernard Ivan Young passed away October 22, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, including his wife Rachel, at the Sussman House in Rockport. He was born September 21, 1935, the son of Bernice (Lermond) and Ivan Young of Millertown in Lincolnville. In 1952 the family moved to the Youngtown Corner Farmhouse. 

Bernard attended grade school in Lincolnville and graduated in the Class of 1954 at Camden High School.

Bernard married Rachel Alma Dougherty of Camden. They built their first home in Lincolnville where they lived until moving into the farmhouse across the road that had been owned by his family for generations. In 1982 they sold the farmhouse and moved down the road on a few acres that were part of the original farm property, where he lived until his death.

Bernard's employment included delivering oil and coal for the George Thomas Fuel Company and Maurice Robbins; delivering Christmas trees to MA; driving school buses; hauling blueberries; raising cows for milk and flocks of 30,000 egg laying hens for multiple local Maine companies; and involvement in the construction of Waldo County General Hospital. He was also the founder and owner of Young’s Construction. He worked full-time plus until the age of 81 then continued to work part-time for his son, who took over the business, driving truck and working in the gravel pit up to two years ago.

He loved his town and all the years he served it. For over 35 years he performed by contract plowing and sanding for the Town of Lincolnville. He was the town’s road commissioner until June of this year. 

Bernard was a member of the King David’s Lodge and recently received his 50-year pin. In June 2015 he and Larry Thomas received the dedication in the Town of Lincolnville Annual Report. He was a long-time “member” of the Drake’s Corner Store coffee club and enjoyed his conversations with both those at his table and those coming in and out of the store.

“If you want it, you earn it.” Bernard lived his life by that motto. He lived to work, and that path never came easy for him. He lived 87 years, 67 of them married to Rachel. He had six kids, nine grandkids, eight great grandkids, and a love and life fully lived that his family says they were so fortunate to have. Bernard would help anybody. A truck, a tool, the last dollar in his wallet – he would give it or let anyone use it. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and genuinely respected everyone.

He was predeceased by his brother, Lewis A. Young, and his wife Candace; his sister, Jackie Y. Watts, and her husband Maurice Watts; and his brother-in-law, Peter Rolerson. He is survived by his six children: daughter Cathy and her husband John; son Steven and his wife Ronny; daughter Kimberly; son Todd and his wife Suzanne; son Scott and his wife Jane; daughter Stacey and her husband Thomas; nine grandchildren: grandson Michael Rossiter and his wife Sarah; grandson Darren Rossiter and his wife Briana; grandson Kyle Young and his partner Amber; grandson Derek Young and his wife Michele; grandson Wyatt Parra; granddaughters Breyn, Chelsea, and Bailey Young; granddaughter Nicole Young and her husband Brendan; and eight great-grandchildren: Preston, Avery, and Sophia Rossiter; Brysen Rankin; Jaylen Young; Addie and Boden Pratt; and Lucas Young; as well as his two sisters: Rosemary Winslow and her husband George; and Judith Rolerson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Lincolnville Historical Society, PO Box 204, Lincolnville, Maine 04849. 

A gathering of friends and family will be held at Lamont’s Riverside Farm, 1430 Moody Mountain Road, Searsmont, on Saturday, November 5, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All are welcome.