NATICK: Robert F. Whitney, age 89, a lifelong Natick resident and local banker, died on Thursday morning, November 8, 2012, at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation – Eliot. He was the devoted husband of the late Anita Whitney.
Born in Natick on April 28, 1923, he was a son of the late Howard and Isobel (Parmenter) Whitney. Bob was a graduate of Natick High School and enlisted with the Army in 1943. He then served as a supply Sergeant in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre for the duration of World War II. Upon returning to the States, he continued his education at Burdett School of Business in Boston.
Bob was employed throughout his career with the Natick Federal Savings Bank, representing the third generation of his family to work for the business co-founded by his grandfather. He was married on October 19, 1946 to the former Anita Leavitt and the couple set about making a loving home for their growing family. A very attentive husband and father, Bob was very active in following his children’s various academic, artistic and sporting endeavors. He retired as Vice President at the bank in 1988.
Bob and Anita had looked forward to family vacations on Cape Cod for many years and, after retirement, traveled across the country by train and enjoyed a number of cruises. An ardent fundraiser for causes dear to him, he had also served as the Treasurer of the Dell Park Cemetery Commission for over 50 years. Essentially a quiet man, Bob could often be found either sitting at home enjoying a book or in the company of his good friend Leonard Scholl.
Predeceased by Anita in 2001, he is survived by four sons and a daughter: John L. Whitney and wife Denise of East Bridgewater, Steven H. Whitney and wife Susan of Attleboro, Jane F. Haman and husband Charles of Tucson, AZ, Daniel R. Whitney and wife Debbie of San Clemente, CA, and Dana F. Whitney and wife Alexanne of Holliston; and six grandchildren: Whitney, Paul, Michelle, Jennifer, Alyssa, and Thomas.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Natick, 2 East Central Street, Natick, on Saturday, Nov. 17th at 10:00a.m. Burial will follow at Old Dell Park Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick, on Friday 3 – 7p.m. Donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.