WORCESTER-Raymond E. Whitney, Sr., 88, of Worcester, died Tuesday, August 18th in his home. He leaves his wife of 42 years, Dorothy A. (Harris) Whitney; his son, James R. Whitney of Worcester; two daughters, Lisa L. Joslyn and her husband Charles of Spencer and Deborah J. Rabidou of Moyock, NC; two brothers, Robert Whitney of Cherry Valley and Clifford Whitney of Connecticut; a sister, Evelyn Whitney of Leicester; four grandchildren, Meghan Joslyn, Brian Rabidou, Meghan McBride and Michael Whitney; two great grandchildren, Grace and Aidan McBride; and several nephews and nieces. His first wife, Rena (Moriarty) Whitney, his son, Raymond E. Whitney, Jr., two brothers, Earl J. and Leroy Whitney and his sister, Rita Petersen, predeceased him.
Mr. Whitney was born in Leicester, the son of Leroy and Irene (Lavallee) Whitney. He was a graduate of Leicester High School, earned his Associates Degree in Fire Science Technology from Quinsigamond Community College, and in 1976 received his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration and Education from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Mr. Whitney served on the Worcester Fire Department for 41 years, retiring as District Chief. He was a member of the Local 1009, serving as treasurer for 2 years and 20 years as president. He was a member of the Bargaining Committee, and served as vice president of the P.F.F.M, holding both positions for 25 years. Mr. Whitney was appointed Fire Chairman of the Massachusetts Joint Labor Management Committee by Governor King and reappointed by Governor Dukakis; he also served as vice president of the Worcester Labor Council for 20 years. He received the distinction of being named President Emeritus for Local 1009 and Vice President Emeritus for the P.F.F.M. Mr. Whitney was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, playing mini golf and reading.
The funeral is Friday, August 21st from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours are Thursday, August 20th from 5:00 until 8:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Worcester Firefighters Relief Association, 141 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605.