He was born in Portland on Sept. 28, 1946, the chosen son of Winfield John Billings and Mary Mortimer Young.
John graduated from Sanford High School in 1964. He attended The University of Maine in Orono on a football scholarship and later the University of Southern Maine.
John worked for Maremont Corporation and then for MorningStar Corporation as an engineer. He left to become one of the initial employees of Shape Industries of Biddeford.
In 1988, John and his wife Gayle moved to Tucson, Arizona where John had a successful and rewarding career in car sales, working for Royal Automotive Group. The couple recently moved back to Maine due to John’s health.
John was a big fan of Boston sports, especially football. He also loved his dogs, dancing, parties and his family. One of his greatest enjoyments was getting to know and interacting with people.
He is survived by: his wife of 50 years, Gayle Spears Young of Gorham, two sons, Jeffrey Young and Ryan Young, daughter Heather Young and 10 grandchildren, Amanda, Mason, Zachary, Chloe, Miller, Brooke, Brinn, Seth, Braedyn, and Evan.
The family would like to thank the staff at Maine Medical Center, Gorham House and Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for the care and compassion John received.
A graveside service will be held Saturday Oct. 1, at 2 p.m. at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco with Tommy Waltz officiating. Dennett, Craig and Pate Funeral Home, 13 Portland Road, Buxton has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s name to The Humane Society.
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