September 9, 2016
Whitney, John R., Jr.
John R. Whitney, Jr. “Whit”, Sept. 6, age 92, formerly of Dedham and Concord, son of the late John Randall and Mary Hunter Whitney of Hingham and Boston, died peacefully after a sudden decline. John grew up in Hingham with his sister, the late Joan Schaup, and received his diploma from The Governor’s Academy in Byfield. He briefly attended college in Connecticut after serving as a gunner in the U.S. Army, Battery D, 136th Anti Aircraft Battalion, in Europe during World War II. He was also a former member of the Concord Independent Battery. John’s professional life was in sales where he joined his father at The John R. Whitney Company, eventually running the firm, as a marine and industrial product manufacturers’ representative. John had a lifelong passion for canoeing and camping and, for decades, served as New England sales representative for the Old Town Canoe Company. John was an ardent photographer and outdoor enthusiast who spent many summers in Camden, Maine where he served as Commodore of the Camden Yacht Club as well as President of the Megunticook Watershed Association. “Whit” frequently shared his love for the great Maine woods, including as a longtime member of Yoke Pond Camps, introducing many family members and friends to this great joy. John is survived by his beloved wife, Katharine M. “Kay” Whitney (MacDuffie), and their children, John R. Whitney III and wife-to-be Sara Mead of West Newbury, Lynn H. Whitney and husband Claude Fixler of Ohio, Pat Martinez Mumford and husband Larry of California, James M. Martinez, Jr. and wife Kathleen Gurren of Virginia, Peter M. Martinez and wife Lindsey Brace Martinez of Dedham, and Hugh W. Martinez and wife Linda Harding of Newburyport, as well as four grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, one great grandchild, and four step-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Megunticook Watershed Association, P.O. Box 443, Camden, ME 04843, or by going to www.megunticook.org and clicking “donate.” Services and interment will be private.
Comments(3)
Sending much love and prayers to all the Whitney – Martinez families , and with happy memories and sadness for loss of a wonderful life. Special love to his wife, my old friend, Kay. God bless. Nanny Blackett
Fare thee well, dear Cap’n! We’ll miss, but our spirits are lifted by the happy memories of our times together over the years. We are lucky to have had a second Dad in you!
Jim and Kathleen
Johnny
He sized me up, and then said “you’re alright”
Then raised a glass to me later that night
And welcomed me, “a newcomer” like him, as
“A wonderful addition” to the family on the whim.
Years later I had the privilege
To take a paddle on the lake
With the man I look up to
And will never forsake
Had me ride in the bow
And as we glided along
An eagle flew by
And sang us a song
Still swimming in his eighties
So graceful and proud
What a sight for the ladies
For cryin’ out loud!
He took me to Old Town
(A high point in my life)
And the Yacht Club for lunch
With our beautiful wives
Those good times are over
Like an era gone by
I’m just thankful and humbled
To have known such a guy.