William B. Whitney, 84
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - William Bryant Whitney, 84, of 360 Reservoir Road, died Sunday, March 18, 2007, at North Adams Regional Hospital.
Mr. Whitney was a partner at the former Whitney's Drug Store and the fountain manager for many years.
Born in North Adams on Nov. 7, 1922, son of Sceva and Elspeth Lawson Whitney, he attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School in 1941.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving with the Seabees during the invasion of Normandy and in the South Pacific. He received the Victory Medal, European African-Pacific Theatre Medal, American Theatre Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal and was honorably discharged in 1945.
Mr. Whitney was also the owner of the Empire Building on Main Street. He was first employed for 15 years by the former Renton's Bakery. He also owned thoroughbred horses, racing them at tracks throughout New England and Florida. He managed a stable at the former Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal, Vt.
He was a member of First Congregational Church and a 50-year member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion, the George L. Curran Post 996 VFW and the Greylock Lodge of Masons. He was a Boston Red Sox Fan and enjoyed traveling to Florida for spring training. He loved dogs, including white German shepherds.
His wife, the former Florence LePage Rongeau-Whitney, whom he married Feb. 12, 1972, died in January 1983.
He leaves a stepdaughter, Simone Richards and her husband, Mahlon, of Chatham, N.Y.; a sister, Jean Gomeau of Williamstown; a brother, James "Skip" Whitney of North Adams; two stepgrandchildren, Sharyn Marks and Michael Richards; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Madisyn Marks and William Marks; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was predeceased by six brothers, the Rev. Kenneth Whitney, Clinton Whitney, R. Donald Whitney, Sceva Whitney, John Whitney and Brayton Whitney, and two sisters, Margaret Dennis and Helen Dion.
FUNERAL NOTICE - Services for Mr. Whitney will take place tomorrow afternoon at 4 at the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main St., North Adams, conducted by the Rev. Jill Graham, pastor of the First Congregational Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours at the funeral home are tomorrow from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested for the North Adams Ambulance Services through the funeral home.