Jonathan Cardell William was born for a lifetime of service. He began his journey on November 28, 1961 in Newark, New Jersey, son of Ruth Griffin Young and Howard Curtis Young. He received his early education at the Featherbed Lane School in Clark and at Locust School in Roselle. In 1979, he graduated from Abraham Clark High School in Roselle and from Linden Vocational Technical School where he studied Electronics. At the age of fifteen, Jon started his career in Emergency Services when he joined the Roselle Volunteer Ambulance Corps. In September, 1979, he became a volunteer Fire Fighter for the Roselle Fire Department and in August, 1990, he achieved his life goal to become a career Fire Fighter for the department. In April, 2001, his dedicated service was rewarded with a promotion to the rank of Lieutenant and he would later earn the rank of Captain. He was a certified Level 2 Fire Department Training Officer training fire fighters at the Roselle Fire Department and at the Union County Fire Academy. He would also serve as an Emergency Medical Technician for over 23 years and was the Coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management in Roselle. During the course of his emergency services career, Jon was awarded numerous commendations from the Mayor and Council of Roselle for acts of courage and bravery. 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. He received the Community Service Award from the Roselle Branch of the 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 which had been trapped under a tractor trailer on Route 1. In recognition, he received a Valor Award by the City of Woodbridge. He was Roselle's most highly decorated Fire Fighter. Jonathan was a member of the New Jersey Urban Search and Rescue Team NJ-TFI serving as a certified Haz-mat Specialist and Communications Specialist for the team. He was deployed to New York City on September 11, 2001 during the World Trade Center collapse. NJ-TFI was the first rescue team at Ground Zero and the team was deployed 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. He was the Communications Officer for the NJ Task Force out of Lakehurst, and President of the NJ Emergency Preparedness Association. He was a certified Instructor for Confined Space Rescue, High Angle Rope Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Automobile Extrication, CPR, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Blood Borne Pathogens, Incident Command Systems and Emergency Vehicle Driving. In his off time, "Juice", as he affectionately known, was a licensed Ham Radio Operator and was in the process of completing flight lessons to obtain a pilot's license. Anyone who knew him appreciated his love for all animals especially Kieko and Kayla his beloved Labradors. Jonathan C. W. Young departed this life on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey just shy of his 50th birthday. He was predeceased by his parents, Howard C. and Ruth K. Young. He leaves to cherish fond memories, a sister, Karen Thomas of Roselle, NJ; nephew, Dr. Jason Thomas (Brittany) of Atlanta, GA and niece, Erica Thomas of Las Vegas, NV; great nephews, Robert Bivines and Jackson Thomas; uncle, Samuel James, Jr.; aunts, Mary Washington and Charlye Griffin, and extended family, Dawn Ruane, Ashley Ruane and Steven Ruane of Stewartsville, NJ and a host of treasured family and friends. This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Jonathan C.W. Young. You are invited to add a Tribute in his memory. Please click "Sign Guestbook" below to add your own memories, reflections, thoughts or condolences.