Harry Staples Whitney, III

Harry Staples Whitney, III, 84, of Antrim, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, October 17, 2017, in the comfort of his home, with his family beside him, after a period of failing health.

He was born on September 13, 1933, in Jaffrey, the son of Harry S and Marion (Gagnon) Whitney. He grew up in Jaffrey and attended Conant High School. In 1951, Harry began his career with the United States military. He was honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant, after serving 22 years with the United States Air Force in both the Vietnam War and the Korean Conflict.

On November 24, 1983, he married Elaine Rose Courchene, in a ceremony in Freeport, Long Island, New York. He worked as a consultant for both The Boeing Company, as a subcontractor with Hazelton, and for The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, both stateside as well as overseas in Saudi Arabia. Later, he worked for B&B Grocery as well as Howard’s Metal Shop and for Brad Veer, managing the Guernsey Building. He also worked with Marc Tieger at Tieger Realty.
He was a member of Jaffrey – Rindge Lion’s Club and the American Legion John Humiston Post No 11 in Jaffrey.

He was a collector of model planes as well as model cars and enjoyed playing solitaire. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and watching birds.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years: Elaine R. Whitney; his children: Alan Whitney of MO, Joanna Yates of IL, Robert Whitney, and Danny Whitney both of MO; step children Debbie Dunlap of Antrim and Paul Walkonen of Jaffrey; two brothers: Russell Whitney of GA and Paul Whitney of Harrisville. He is also survived by six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; seven step-great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Harry was predeceased by his son David Whitney and two brothers: Robert Whitney and Ronald Whitney.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017, from 2:00 until 4:00 pm, at the American Legion John Humiston Post No 11, 20 Webster St, Jaffrey, NH 03452. Burial will take place Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 1:00 pm, at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, RT 3, Boscawen, NH 03303-2413.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in Harry S. Whitney, III’s name, to Compassus: Hospice, Palliative Care and In Home Health, 170 South River Rd, Bldg 2, Bedford, NH 03110 or to the American Legion John Humiston Post No 11, 20 Webster St, Jaffrey, NH 03452.