Obituary: Paul Richard Young, of Bethel and Wilton

BETHEL, CT —Paul Richard Young, of Bethel, passed away peacefully on Nov. 28 after a short illness. Born in Norwalk, to Phillip T. and Elizabeth Longstaff Young, he was an avid outdoorsman, a certified tree surgeon, a landscape architect, and a partner in Young’s Nurseries in Wilton.

Paul is survived by his daughter Stephanie Young of Massachusetts, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by his brothers, Henry and David Young, and another daughter, Leslie Young.

Paul’s legendary hosta collection brought him close to so many people throughout Bethel, Redding and Wilton. He had hundreds of varieties of hostas on his beautifully landscaped property in Bethel, and was always happy to share them with friends. After retiring from Young’s Nurseries, Paul became a member of the Bethel Garden Club and was a valued tree warden for the town of Wilton for many years. He was also a long-time member of the Wilton Kiwanis Club.

He will be missed by so many dear friends in Bethel, Wilton and Bethel United Methodist Church, where he was an active member for the last 20+ years, as well as his Setback card group at the Bethel Senior Center. Paul was blessed with close friends and neighbors who cared for him throughout his illness, and will miss those sunny walks at home, or at his new apartment with the kind people at The Village at Brookfield Common.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 141 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT 06801, or to a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Bethel United Methodist Church.