Sanford W. Young

PITTSBURG – Sanford “Sandy” W. Young, 61, of Pittsburg, died at his home surrounded by his family early on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2022, after a months-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in West Stewartstown on April 28, 1961, the youngest son to Arnold and Lou Young. Sandy was a life-long resident of Pittsburg and was a 1979 graduate of Pittsburg High School. After graduating from high school, Sandy worked for Dave Thompson doing land development. He also worked for Washburn Lumber in their parts department, followed by jobs at AD Sanel and Brooks Chevrolet in Colebrook. In 1994, Sandy began working for the State of NH as the regional supervisor for all the state parks, waysides, and campgrounds in the north country and the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters land. He also partnered with his brother, Sid, as Polaris snowmobile dealers from 1984-1994. Volunteerism was a major part of Sandy’s life. He was a groomer operator for the Pittsburg RidgeRunner’s Snowmobile Club in 1991 and he trained several of the future operators. He coordinated much of the trail work in the area in conjunction with his job with the state, and he was an essential part of developing the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters land for the Pittsburg trail system. Sandy also played a major role in the 911 mapping of the area and the signage system for the entire trail network. Family traditions were also an important part of his life, including Sunday night suppers with his family at his parents’ home, Friday night suppers at the Buck Rub or other hospitality establishments with his children and other friends and family members, camping trips, and the family floats in the Old Home Day parade each year. He was a member of the Deadwater Camp Band, and his unknown claim to fame was that he wrote many songs over the years. Whenever one of “his” songs came on the radio, he always told his kids that he wrote it (and they are still waiting for the royalties)! Another very important aspect of Sandy’s life was the fire service. He was a member of the Pittsburg Fire Department from 1979 until he retired in 2016. He became interim Chief in August, 1997 and was elected chief by the members in January of 1998. He was instrumental in the planning, design, and construction of Pittsburg’s Spirit Station and oversaw the “call to brotherhood” which brought the community and firefighters from all over the state for one weekend to build the station in the summer of 1998. Chief Young helped design and build the first snowmobile rescue sled for the Pittsburg Fire Department. In 2011, Sandy was named the “Firefighter of the Year” by the North Country Public Safety Foundation and he has been awarded the Medal of Valor and the Years of Service award by the NH Fire Service & Emergency Medical Services Committee of Merit. Even after retiring as chief, Sandy remained extremely active in the Pittsburg Firefighters’ Association and was the inspiration and driving force behind the annual Pasture Golf Tournament and the Parade of Lights fundraisers. Sandy was very involved in his kids lives, as well, whether it be in helping build props for school proms, building portable kitchens for fundraisers, helping at sports practices and coaching youth baseball and basketball. His two children, Michaela and Adam, often volunteered him to help with anything their friends needed built. He was “Papa Sandy” to many, and his numerous nieces and nephews also benefitted from his constructive talents. To say that Sandy will be missed by his family, his friends, his community, and the whole region that he considered home would be one of the biggest understatements ever uttered. Sandy is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jill (Frizzell) Young of Pittsburg; his two children, Michaela and Adam Young; his parents, Arnold and Lou Young of Pittsburg; four siblings, Sidney “Sid” (Denise “Dee”) Young of Pittsburg, Sharon Young (Bertrand “Bert”) of W. Stewartstown, Steven “Steve” (Joanne) Young of Beecher Falls, and Sheridan “Sherry” Young of Texas; one he considered as close as a brother, James “Jim” (Judy) Haynes of Alton, N.H.; his beloved in-laws, Marilyn Frizzell, Beverly Lord (Richard), Linda (Tom) Yorke, Wayne (Pam) Frizzell, and Jeffrey (Kimberly) Frizzell; nieces & nephews and their families: Sonya, Chris, Emma, Isaac, Joel, Jodi, Jaylyn, Jaclyn, Megan, Jeff, Cole, Carter, Jessica, Craig, Isabelle, Hannah, Jennifer, Jesse, Aubrie, Cade, Beckett, Anthony, Martha, Abby, Jason, Brantley, baby Bean, Miranda, Brandon, Kathy and Bryce, Corey, Theresa, Leslie, Keaton, Ariana, Shaun, Brian, Cari, Schyler, Kristina, Dan, Bronson, Emily, Harper, Easton, Haley, Daniel, Cormick and Molly; as well as friends beyond count. He is predeceased by his beloved father-in-law, Clarence Frizzell, and a brother-in-law, Leslie Lord. There are no public calling hours. A Celebration of Life for Chief Young will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at the Pittsburg Fire Station. A procession through the village to the Spirit Station will begin at 2:00 p.m. from the old fire station. Interment will be private. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Sandy may be made to the Pittsburg NH Firefighters’ Association (PNHFFA), 1684 Main St., Pittsburg, NH 03592. Condolences may be offered to the family online by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook with the assistance of the Granite State Fire Service Support Team.

Sanford W. Young

April 28, 1961 - October 4, 2022