Born May 7, 1941 at the Hoopa Indian Health Service Hospital, Geno left this life on March 26, 2015 while being held by his son Gary and Granddaughter Amanda. Geno and his brother Sam were raised by their father Samuel at the Young homestead located in the ancient Yurok Village of Wa’asei. Geno loved and took take care of his brother Sam. He was an excellent big brother and made sure they both got to Morek where they attended grade school. Geno later moved to Hoopa to live with his aunt Lizzie to attend Hoopa High School. Following graduation from High School in 1958 Geno enlisted in the U.S. Army, he served in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Pre-deceased by: his father: Samuel Young, brother: Samuel Gary Young, Mother: Ida Mae Lewis. Grandparents: Eugene Young and Eunice Erickson; Andrew Sr. and Rose Luddington Lewis. Sister: Andrea Lavato, Aunts: Lorraine Wilder and Marilyn Latham and treasured friends Ulysses “Sam” and Jean Ferris, Stanley Ferris, Clarence “Buck Lou” Lewis Sr, Alfred “Riggie” Colegrove, and Paul “Justy” Masten Jr.
Survived by siblings Dewey Myers, Louie Myers, Gilbert Myers, Larry Sillaway and Sister Everetta Myers. Grandchildren: Amanda, Devin, Maya, Lily and Emily. Great Grandchildren: Samuel Eugene, Sophia, Alexander and Emerald. Geno had many nieces and nephews. Geno is also survived by beloved friends Fred Marshall, Loren Norton, Hank Masten, Oscar Billings, Tim Casey and Jamie Melendy. Also his special cousin, Holly Erickson.
Geno worked his entire life in the woods as a logger and later a timber faller, working first with his Dad Samuel skidding logs to the Klamath River at the age of 14. After his tour of duty with the Army he worked and was mentored by one of the best Indian loggers, Peter Brundin of Blue Lake Rancheria. Pete called Geno and his other Indian loggers “smoked Irishmen”. Many who worked with Geno would often say he was the best “Rigging Slinger” they’d ever seen. He worked as a faller until age 65, ending his career with Hoopa Forest Industries (HFI). He was an expert timber faller and was renowned for his ability to fall a difficult tree yet save the wood from breaking. He had a deep respect for the art of falling as well as the precious resource he took part in harvesting. He trained a number of men at HFI in the art of falling as well as other important aspects of logging. He worked the last 20 years of his falling career with close friend and colleague the late Monte Jarnaghan Sr.
Geno played on numerous Hoopa All Indian championship basketball teams. He was known as a tenacious rebounder and defender and as such would always draw the duty of defending the opponents’ top scorer.
Geno raced powerboats for a number of years, transitioning into a Little League coach when his son Gary began to play baseball. Geno and Chuck Singleton coached championship Little League teams for a number of years. Their players went on to form several Championship Hoopa High Baseball teams in the 1980s.
At age 56 Geno developed a love for golfing. Although he started at such a late age, the natural athlete in him helped overcome inexperience as he was always a formidable opponent even facing golfers who had played the majority of their lives. He especially loved golfing with his son Gary, as well as friends Oscar Billings, Billy Colgrove, Nolan Colgrove, Tim Casey, and the late Monte Jarnaghan.
Geno was very close to his only son Gary. Their relationship could be described as best friends rather than father and son. They fished, golfed, mushroomed, cooked and consumed the occasional adult beverage together. They both rejoiced in recent years as Geno’s beloved Giants won three World Series championships.
During the last year of Geno’s life he had amazing support from Hank Masten. There are no words to describe the gratitude the family has for the love, loyalty and devotion provided by Hank during the last year of Geno’s life, it meant the world to Geno and to all of us too.
The Family would like to thank Doctor Jeffery Allen and Nurse Becky Pidgeon for their compassion and attention to Geno’s needs. Thanks are also offered to the wonderful service provided from the St Joes Infusion suite team who always made Geno feel so comfortable.
Pall bearers are Loren Norton, Hank Masten, Fred Marshall, Billy Colgrove, Oscar Billings, Tim Kyle, Jamie Melendy, Tim Casey and Chance Carpenter. Honorary Bearers are Nolan Colgrove, Everett Colgrove Sr, Everett Colgrove Jr, Mike Ferris, Boyd Ferris, Leonard “Spam” Ferris, Eric Ferris, Leonard “Elrod” Masten, Delmer Kyle, Zane Grant, Charles Singleton, Brian Singleton, Dave Vigil, Rob Roy Latham, Kevin Latham, Tim Melendy-Vellutini, Roger Britton, Pat Melendy Sr, Nathan Phetsouphanh, Doug McLeod, Mike Lee, Clarence “Sling” Lewis, Larry Walker Jr, Dewey Meyers, Dick Robbins, Tyke Robbins, Rowdy Robbins, John Robbins Jr., Mike McCurdy, Randy Hobbs, Dennis Hobbs, Doug Brown, and Sylvester Brown.
A memorial service of happy remembrances will be held at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata on Thursday April 2nd. Immediately following the service, Geno’s ashes will be interred At Greenwood Cemetery, Arcata, California in the gravesite of his brother Samuel Gary Young..
On Saturday, April 4th, there will be a BBQ celebration of Geno’s life at his home in Hoopa.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Please forgive us if we have made any errors or omissions in this announcement.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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