Dennis Crane Young

Dennis Crane Young, age 81, of Tewksbury Twp., N.J. passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at home.

He was born on September 9, 1942, in Newark, N.J. to the late John Ballantine Young and Ruth Crane Young and remained in the state of his birth for most of his life.

Dennis earned his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and his master’s degree from New York University. He was an exceptionally talented artist and spent many of his working days as an art teacher to high school students in Merrick, Long Island, N.Y. and Bernardsville, N.J.

Dennis loved aviation, earning a pilot’s license, and spending his free hours for many years navigating his Cessna above the New Jersey landscape. Dennis was also an armchair political pundit and enjoyed engaging in political debates with his family and friends that occasionally grew as spicy as the food he loved to consume. He learned Russian later in life, using his linguistic prowess against telemarketers unlucky enough to dial his number. He was well-read with a special fondness for the work of Mark Twain, which he read to his children before kissing them goodnight when they were young. Dennis was quite a wordsmith when the occasion called for it, fearlessly sharing his affection for those he loved. This fearlessness was coupled with a deep generosity and willingness to help any person or any creature in need.

At heart, Dennis was an adventurer who loved to explore the back roads of New Jersey, the state that he loved so much.  He enjoyed going out for drives and stopping at various diners and cafes along the way. 

Survivors include two children; Rodney Young and his wife Evonne of Centennial, CO and Saskia Young of Westminster, CO.  Four grandchildren; Harper Dehring, Esmé Dehring, Zora Young and Jasper Young.  One brother; John Young of Faber, VA. He is also survived by his ex-wife; Marian van Lieshoud of Riemst, Belgium.

All services will be private.  Arrangements are under the direction of Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home in Lebanon, NJ. 

Memorials can be made to Wittenberg University Fund. https://giving.wittenberg.edu/project/24355/donate

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dennis Crane Young, please visit our floral store.