James L. Whitney, 82
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - James Lawson "Skip" Whitney, 82, of 5 Whitman St. died Sunday, March 1, 2015, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.
Born in North Adams on May 24, 1932, son of Sceva E. and Elspeth Lawson Whitney, he attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1951.
An Army veteran, he served with 10th Mountain Division at Fort Riley, Kans., during the Korean War.
Mr. Whitney was employed at Whitney's Beverage Shop for many years until his retirement in 2003.
His true love was training and racing horses, especially at the former Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal, Vt., and later at Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park in New Hampshire.
He was also a part-owner of the Empire Building in North Adams with his late brother, William "Bill" Whitney.
He was a member of First Congregational Church of North Adams and of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion, and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.
He leaves his wife, the former Anne Young, whom he married on Feb. 20, 1971, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, including his godson, Brayton H. Whitney.
The last of his immediate family, he was predeceased by three sisters and seven brothers: Margaret Dennis, Helen Dion, Jean Gomeau, the Rev. Kenneth Whitney, Clinton E. Whitney, R. Donald Whitney, Sceva E. Whitney Jr., John Whitney, Brayton Whitney, and William B. Whitney.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Mr. Whitney will be Thursday, March 5, at 11 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday morning from 9 to 11. Omission of flowers requested. Memorial donations may be made to the Women's Fellowship at First Congregational Church in care of the funeral home.