Jonathan Cardell William Young was born for a lifetime of service. He began the journey November 28‚ 1961‚ in Newark‚ New Jersey‚ son of Ruth Griffin Young and Howard Curtis Young. In 1979‚ he graduated from Abraham Clark High School in Roselle and from Linden Vocational Technical School where he studied electronics.

At age 15‚ Jon started his career in emergency services with the Roselle Volunteer Ambulance Corps. In 1979‚ he became a volunteer firefighter for the Roselle Fire Department‚ and in 1990‚ he achieved his life goal to become a career firefighter for the department. In 2001‚ he was promoted to lieutenant; he later earned the rank of captain. He was a certified Level 2 Fire Department Training Officer‚ training firefighters at the Roselle Fire Department and at the Union County Fire Academy. He served as an EMT for over 23 years and as coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management in Roselle.

Jon was Roselle’s most highly decorated firefighter. In addition to being awarded Fire Fighter of the Year three times‚ he received Valor Awards from the New Jersey Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association and the St. Barnabas Hospital Burn Foundation‚ and the Community Service Award from the Roselle NAACP. A highlight of his career was the delivery of thirteen babies. In 1997‚ while off duty‚ Jon rescued a civilian trapped in a burning car‚ for which he received a Valor Award from the City of Woodbridge. In his memory‚ and in an effort to preserve his love for the community‚ the Borough of Roselle‚ the Roselle Chamber of Commerce‚ Agape House of Worship‚ and the Young family are holding the Annual Jon Young Memorial 5K.

Jonathan was a certified HAZMAT specialist and communications specialist with the New Jersey Urban Search and Rescue Team NJ-TFI. NJ-TFI was the first rescue team at Ground Zero on September 11‚ 2001‚ and remained there for ten straight days. Following that assignment‚ he worked with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in a mental health support program for first responders.

Jon was the communications officer for the NJ Task Force and president of the NJ Emergency Preparedness Association. He was a certified instructor for confined space rescue‚ high angle rope rescue‚ HAZMAT‚ automobile extrication‚ CPR‚ weapons of mass destruction‚ blood borne pathogens‚ incident command systems‚ and emergency vehicle driving.

In his off time ‘Juice‚’ as he was affectionately known‚ enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was a licensed Ham Radio Operator and was in the process of obtaining a pilot’s license. He loved all animals‚ especially Kieko and Kayla‚ his beloved Labradors.

Jonathan C. W. Young departed this life in the line of duty on November 16‚ 2011‚ just shy of his 50th birthday. ‘Well done‚ my good and faithful servant.’