Kenneth O. Whitney, 82, of Derry, NH, died peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday January 28, 2018 in the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH. He was born in Manchester on December 28, 1935, a son of the late Alden and Dorothy (Verge) Whitney. Being a lifelong Derry resident, he was a graduate of Pinkerton Academy, Class of 1954. Mr. Whitney served with the US Navy as a Sonar Officer on a destroyer, visiting 28 countries in 1 1/2 years during his service. Following his discharge, he married the girl of his dreams, Patricia A. Gendron, in St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry in 1957. Mr. Whitney attended the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, but then started driving truck for J. Schwartz Motor Trans in Manchester for eight years until they closed. He then drove for Jones Motor Transportation for two years and finally was a long line truck driver for Coca Cola USA for 30 years, retiring in 1997. Following his retirement, he drove for Classic Motors and American Yeast. Mr. Whitney was a 37 year member of the Teamsters Local 633 in NH. He was involved in the formation of the Derry Demons football team. Mr. Whitney was a member of the Derry Little League Board of Directors, and he coached his son from little league through American Legion Ball, and coached his grandson from little league through senior little league. He also coached Women's AAU Basketball. He was an avid Red Sox and NE Patriots fan, enjoyed hunting and fishing, tending his garden, and watching John Wayne movies. Mr. Whitney was a great dad, son, brother, grandfather great-grandfather, and a friend to many.
He is survived by three children, Maureen D. Haas and her husband Tom, Pamela J. Whitney, and Matthew A. Whitney, all of Derry; five grandchildren, Misty L. Gillis and her husband Walter of Londonderry, NH, Matthew Doyle of Manchester, Mallory L. Levandowski, and Kenny Jarvis both of Derry, Ryan Whitney of Goffstown, NH; great grandchildren, Logan C. and Brady M. Gillis of Londonderry; and his brother, Dana B. Whitney of Raymond, NH. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Patricia (Gendron) Whitney in 2010, and his daughter, Colleen Whitney-Jarvis in 2015.
Following cremation, a celebration of Ken's life will be held at a date and time to be announced through social media. He will be buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry is assisting the family with arrangements.