Young, Michael D., 47, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away on Thursday, August 15th at his home with his mother, Linda by his side in Zephyrhills, Florida after a long heroic battle with stage 4 colon/rectal cancer.

Michael was born on Tuesday, August 31, 1971 to Daniel Young of South Paris, Maine and Linda (Ackley) Dahl of Zephyrhills, Florida. Mike attended school in the Norway/South Paris area prior to moving to Atlantic Beach, Florida and Memphis, TN. He returned to So Paris, Main to complete his senior year of high school. Michael attended Averett University in VA. This is where he studied aeronautics and learned to fly solo. After college, Mike returned to his much loved home state of Maine and settled down in Kittery, Maine for 21 years. This is where Michael's Postal Service career got its start working at the Portsmouth, NH plant. He went on to delivering mail in Eliot & Kittery, ME, supervising in Portland and working with Human Resources orienting new employees. He served as Post Master in Cape Elizabeth, ME. Before being transferred to Land O Lakes, FL in 2013, where he did grounds and custodian work, the position he enjoyed the most was when he taught Drivers Education to new employees at the Tampa Airport location. He met many friends along his journey that developed into lifelong friendships.

Besides his many interests of planes, trains, and automobiles (NASCAR) racing, he was a long time New England sports fan, animal lover, and gardener. He was often seen with a shovel in his hand and dirt on his knees either planting, weeding, or creating a landscape design.

He believed in protecting the rights of those that could not speak, and it was not uncommon to hear of Mike rescuing some injured animal and transporting it to the animal clinic. His favorite animals were golden retrievers and the tigers at "Big Cat Rescue" in Tampa.

He has loved and cared for several pets. Misti, Oakley, Kuffs, Cameron, and Kole have all been his family of fur babies. When he wasnt outside gardening or throwing balls you might find Mike ordering trains on eBay or Amazon.

But family was of utmost importance, and Mike being the kind and gentle warrior that he was, would go through any length to protect the ones he loved.

He is going to be deeply missed by so many. He may not be visable, but will be forever present.

Michael is survived by his mother, Linda Dahl of Tampa, Fl ; father, Daniel Young; and step mother, Linda (Durgin) Young; stepbrother, Tim; and Step sister, Missy; beloved grandmother, Mrytle Young of South Paris, ME; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Michaels memory can be made to the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, P.O. Box 8081 Hudson, MA 01749, phone 978-568-9700 or Big Cat Rescue 12802 Easy St. Tampa, FL 33625.

Celebration of life will be held at the Kings Hill Inn, 56 King Hill Rd. South Paris, ME on September 4th 2019 beginning at 12:52 PM.

Private graveside burial will be held following the ceremony at the Damon Cemetery in Buckfield, ME. On line condolences, memories, happy thoughts may be left @ www. Hodgesfuernalhome.com