Grafton – Francis K. Whitney Jr., also known as “Whitney,” 72, passed Wednesday, May 27, 2015 with his caring family at his side.
He leaves his brother, Richard E. Whitney and his wife Cindy; two nieces, Megan and Kari Whitney, and a great-nephew, Joseph E. Whitney, all of Grafton; two brothers, Donald Whitney of Holden and David Whitney in Florida; and two sisters, Linda Terrien of Worcester and Mary Ricker of Holden. He was predeceased by another brother, Robert Whitney.
Whitney was born Aug. 28, 1942 in Worcester, the son of the Late Francis K. and Jane (Borucki) Whitney. He lived most of his life in Grafton and also lived in Worcester and Webster. He attended Grafton High School and the entered the U.S. Army. He was a decorated U.S. Army Vietnam veteran serving as a Corporal E4, B Btry, 7th BN 11th Arty, 25th Infantry Division. While serving in Vietnam Aug. 22, 1968, he was honored for heroism in connection with the military operations against hostile force fire at Support Base Buell II. When his unit came under intense enemy fire, he fearlessly exposed himself into the barrage of enemy fire in order to save the battalion, for which he was awarded The Army Commendation Medal for Heroism.
Following his military service, he worked at the former Worcester Cold Storage Co. and then Consolidated Beverages Co. (Budweiser) in Auburn for 35 years when he retired. He was a member of Teamsters Local 170 in Worcester since 1972.
Whitney was a devoted outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing and holding memberships at Auburn Sportsmen’s Club, Leicester Rod and Gun Club, and several other rod and gun clubs in Massachusetts. He was also a member of The Charles P. Tuttle Post in Auburn and Vernon Hill Post 435 in Worcester. Whitney also enjoyed watching The Red Sox, football and playing the lottery.
His greatest times in recent years were with his great-nephew Joseph “Joey” Whitney who has autism. They had a special relationship like no other. Joey and Uncle Jun as he called him would play scratch tickets and pick numbers for the daily lottery on a weekly basis, which every time they did it they would win. Joey and Uncle Jun brought many smiles and much happiness to each other over the past few years. Uncle Jun took the time to understand Joey’s autism, making him comfortable with his needs and wants. They were literally an inseparable pair and Joey will miss his Uncle Jun forever.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to The Joseph E. Whitney Educational Fund, c/o Savers Co-op Bank, 96 Worcester St., North Grafton, MA 01536 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KA 66675.
A graveside service with military honors will be Wednesday, June 3, at 11 a.m., in Pine Grove Cemetery (Upper level), opposite 17 Waterville St. in North Grafton. Everyone will meet at the cemetery for the service. All are invited to calling hours Tuesday, June 2, from 4-7 p.m., at the Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St., North Grafton.
An online book for condolences and memories is available at www.RoneyFuneralHome.com.
