LEWISTON – David R. Youland, 74, of Fish Street, Turner, died Monday, April 2, 2012, at St. Mary’s Hospital, with his family by his side. He was born Jan. 23, 1938, in Lewiston, son of John Russell and Mary “Louise” Rose Youland.
He graduated from Leavitt Institute in 1956. After graduating, he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Pearl, Aug. 25, 1957. He worked for Raytheon and United Parcel Service prior to pursuing their dream of owning a sporting camp. They purchased The Bradford Camps on Munsungun Lake in Northern Maine. David became an accomplished commercial seaplane pilot. After 25 wonderful years they went on to retire for the second time, selling the sporting camps in 1996. David was a lifetime member of National Rifle Association and also a member of Nezinscot Masonic Lodge. Never idle, he kept busy with his hobbies, which included ham radio, hunting, flying, rebuilding planes and woodworking. He, Nancy and family enjoyed spending as much time as possible at their camp on McPherson Pond in the North woods. He was happiest when at camp. David had a sense of adventure. He loved setting new goals and always accomplished them. One of the proudest of his accomplishments was earning his helicopter endorsement at age 70. He achieved excellence in everything he set his mind to. He instilled this in his children and grandchildren leaving behind a legacy of creativity, work ethic, and passion of living life to its fullest.
His family was very important to him. David leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Nancy; his mother, Louise Youland of New Hampshire; two sons, Kurt and wife, Karen, of Turner and Kelvin and his wife, Dawn, of Turner; and two daughters, Kimberly Chesley and her husband, Robert, of Auburn and Karen Chase and her husband, Wayne, of Turner. David also leaves 11 grandchildren who he was so very proud of that his last words to them were “To thine own self be true!” They are Gretchen Ward and her husband, Abram, of Bowdoin, David Chesley of Nashua, N.H., Kyle and Kolby Youland of Turner, Briana and Brody Youland of Turner, Dylan, Emily and Abigail Chase of Turner, Amanda Paquette and husband, Ian, and Matthew Nash of Turner; two great-grandchildren, Abram “AJ” and Bryce Ward of Bowdoin; a brother, Frank Youland; a sister, Virginia Jones and husband, Mike, of New Hampshire; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, John Russell Youland; and sister-in-law, Beverly Youland. The family thanks Dr. Mahesh Pandey and the nursing staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for the care and compassion they showed to David and his family.
Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at The Fortin Group Funeral Home Cremation & Monument Services, 217 Turner St., Auburn, where a celebration of David’s life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday. Committal will be at Keene’s Mills Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to offer condolences and pay tribute to David’s life by visiting his guest book at
www.thefortingroupauburn.com.