LIMINGTON – Donald H. Whitney, age 89, passed away on Feb. 26, 2023.
He was born in Springvale, Maine on June 25, 1933, the son of the late Perley and Marion (Campbell) Whitney. He attended Sanford High School and Nasson College.
Donald enlisted in the US Navy in Jan. of 1951 during the Korean War. He began as a Seaman apprentice and ended his enlistment as a First Class Petty Officer. He proudly served aboard the aircraft carriers USS Roosevelt and USS Hornet.
After serving, Donald went on to work as a lobsterman out of Cape Porpoise Maine. In 1959 Don moved his family to Connecticut for job opportunities. He worked at General Dynamics in New London, CT and it was there that he learned computer skills. The computer age was in its infancy and he grew with it. He also worked at Connecticut Bank & Trust and Hartford National. In his spare time he earned a certificate as a farrier at the University of Connecticut. Don loved horses and started a 4-H horse riding group with another dad. He taught boys and girls proper care and behavior around horses as well as proper trail riding.
Don always wanted to move back to Maine. When a job at Canal Bank in Portland opened up and needed someone with his computer skills, he applied and got the job. In his later years he set up shop as a computer consultant and worked for many different people and companies. He enjoyed reading and studying the Bible, was an avid gardener who grew large vegetable gardens every year. He enjoyed building kayaks and boating on ponds, lakes and rivers in Connecticut and Maine.
He was a devout Christian man that served as an Elder and teacher at the Limington Congregational Church, an Elder and teacher at the Limerick Free Baptist Church and as a leader of the older men’s group at the Free Baptist Church in East Waterboro. He was known by many as just “Grandfather”. Don loved his wife Joyce of 68 years, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He worked and sacrificed his entire life for them. He would consider this his greatest earthly joy.
He is predeceased by a brother – Richard P. Whitney and a grandson – Matthew M. Heon
Donald is survived by his beloved wife Joyce (Grant) Whitney; children Linda Gardner and her husband Kenneth, Daniel Whitney, Debra Johnson and her husband Tom, Arlan Whitney and his partner Lila Conley, and Steven Whitney; fourteen grandchildren – Amber Milo, Jennifer Houston, Lauren Reitano, Hilary Whitney, Leah Doughty, Christopher Doughty, Mary Doughty, Arlan Smith, Michael Whitney, Stephen Whitney, Richard Whitney, Holly Whitney, David Whitney, and Connor Whitney, and fifteen great grandchildren.
A memorial service to remember Donald’s life will be held March 11, 2023 at the Free Baptist Church of East Waterboro, 213 Maine St., East Waterboro at 11 AM. Burial will be private amongst his family at Maple Grove Cemetery in Acton, Maine in the spring.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, website, www.mainefuneral.com
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