John C. Yaney 63, son of the late John P. and R. Evelyn (Wales) Yaney. died Wednesday July 4, 2012 of complications following surgery. Born in Boston, a life-long resident of Whitman, and a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. John was a 12th generation decendent from two families on the Mayflower, Henry Sampson and Edward Doty. He is survived by cousins Gordon Yaney and wife Lana, David Yaney, Marilyn Brinkert and husband Robert, Stevan Brinkert and wife Helen, Marcia Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Patricia Delaney and husband Matthew, Sara Delaney, Elizabeth Delaney, Melissa Morris and husband Jarrell.
John was a graduate of Whitman-Hanson RHS, U/MASS Amherst, and M.I.T. John worked as a Senior Principal Engineer in the Boston office of Faye, Spofford, and Thorndyke Inc. for more than forty years, contributing to numerous major transportation improvements including Boston’s “Big Dig,” Nantucket Airport, Naval Air Station Brunswick, and the recent elimination of the Sagamore Rotary.
John maintained a life-long interest in military aviation and railroads. He was also committed to documenting the history of the Naval Air Development Unit, a critical but little known component of the nation’s defense network, located at South Weymouth Naval Air Base. After the decision was made to close the base in 1996, he helped the Navy document its history for a government publication entitled The Defender’s History. John recently published NADU: The Forgotten Naval Air Development Unit of NAS South Weymouth, a comprehensive book dedicated to those who worked at the Air Base. Most recently, he played an important role in opening the Shea Field Naval Aviation Historical Museum, devoted to preserving the history of NAS South Weymouth, to the public. He was a member in good standing of the Naval Airship Association, the Association of Naval Aviation Patriot Squadron, the VP Association, the Naval Institute, the Tailhook Association, the New Haven Railroad Historical and Technical Association, the Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society, The Old Colony Planning Council, and many other similar organizations. John enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and abroad, the Pawtucket Red Sox, and caring for his pet cats.
His funeral service will be held Saturday July 14 at 10 AM in the All Saints Church, 44 Park Ave. Whitman. Burial will follow in the Colebrook Cemetery, Whitman. Visiting hours will be held Friday July 13 from 4-8 PM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman. Donations may be made in Mr. Yaney’s name to the American Cancer Society 5 Manley St., West Bridgewater, MA. 02379 and the MSPCA.1300 West Elm St .Ext., Brockton, MA 02301