SOUTH DARTMOUTH — Dr. Jeremy Belknap Whitney of South Dartmouth died at his home on 13 February, 2018. He died as he lived, gently. He was 89 years old.
Born in 1928 in New Bedford’s St. Luke’s Hospital he was a son of Dorothy (Belknap) and Dr. Raymond C. Whitney. Dr. Whitney spent much of his life in South Dartmouth. He grew up in Padanaram, graduated from St. Paul’s School in 1946, Harvard College in 1950, and Tuft’s Medical School in 1954. After serving in the Navy, and a residency at the Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary, he returned to New Bedford to take over his father’s ophthalmic practice in 1961.
Among his many passions were running, literature, the Chicago Cubs and gunkholing in Buzzards Bay. He was the founding non-member and Commodore of the Clark’s Cove Yacht Club, whose motto is “No Dues, No Members, No Parking, No Sweat”. He will be remembered for his dry wit, kind spirit, generous friendship and devotion to family.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Anne Whitney, brother Cyrus Whitney (Eileen), sister Priscilla Lawton, daughters Katherine Whitney (Farhad Farzaneh), their children Leyla and Kian; Susie Whitney (Tim McVeagh), their daughters Weezie and Whitney; Emily Hartshorne(Dobbs), their son Scotty, sister-in-law Susan Saltus and many nieces and nephews.
There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, 17 Middle Street, on Saturday 24 February at 11 AM. A reception will follow at the church. We request that you wear colors! This is a celebration of a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, The Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, or Your Theater, Inc. The disposition of ashes will be at the convenience of the family. Our thanks go to Community Nurse and Hospice and Care with Love which enabled him to live his life with dignity and purpose in his last days