1918 – 2016

RYE, N.H. — Percy Thomas Whitney Jr., of New Castle, N.H., passed away on Thursday, July 7, in Rye, N.H.

The son of Percy T. Whitney Sr. and Ella Baker Whitney, he was born in Oxford on Oct. 24, 1918. Percy attended Oxford High School where he was a member of the Regional Small School Championship basketball team in 1936. After graduation, he attended Bates College in Lewiston while working as a weaver for the Robinson Manufacturing Company in Oxford.

While attending college, Percy was accepted into the apprenticeship program with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a foundryman. After completing his apprenticeship, Percy worked in the shipyard foundry manufacturing metal castings for submarines.

During World War II, Percy was accepted into the U.S. Marine Corps and assigned to the 6th Marine Division. He participated in the invasion of Okinawa, Japan, and occupation duty in Tsingtao, China, in 1945. After the war, Percy returned to his work in the shipyard foundry.

After 30 years, Percy retired from his position as the master of the shipyard foundry and pattern shops in 1971. In retirement, he served as an advisor in foundry work to the Brazilian Navy in Rio de Janeiro for several years. Upon his return to Kittery, he became a licensed real estate agent and served for 17 years as an elected trustee for the Kittery Water District.

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Percy loved to travel. With his wife, Edith, he visited five continents, making many lifelong friendships along the way. A devoted golfer and tennis player, Percy was one of the oldest and most senior members of the Portsmouth Country Club until he retired from both sports in 2015.

Percy is survived by his sister, Phyllis Dow of South Paris; his daughters, Ann Pilgrim and Cheryl Wyman; along with his five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by Edith, his wife of 74 years; and his brother, Clifford Whitney.

Though he will be sorely missed, Percy will always be remembered for his devotion to his family, his integrity, his wonderful sense of humor and his love of ice cream.

Visit www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book.


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