Obituary of George-Joseph Whitty

WHITTY, George Joseph - 1911 - 2004 - George Whitty of Water Street, Loggieville, Miramichi East, died at his home on Monday evening, January 5, 2004. The son of the late James and Agnes Whitty, was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Mary (McLean) and by six of his siblings. Surviving are one sister, (Cecilia); his nephew, John Whitty, both of Miramichi; daughter, Kathleen (Meagher) of Fredericton (and her husband John); one son, Michael (and his wife Deborah) presently on assignment as the Canadian Military Attaché to the Netherlands; and by three very special grandchildren, Kelly, Michelle and Pierre, all attending universities in Quebec and Ontario. One must acknowledge here the care which he received, often around the clock, from three special care-givers, Monique English, Janine Olsen, Georgette Hall. Following high school, he was employed at Snowball's Mill, the N.B. Department of Public Works (Highways), Imperial Oil Ltd. and Canada Packers. His Military career (of which he was so very proud), covered thirty-two years of more than one-third of a very productive life. In 1939 he left the North Shore Regiment and joined the Carleton York Regiment of Woodstock. His service with the Carleton Yorks included assignments in England, Sicily, Italy and Belgium. Following the war he went to work for the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans for some 29 years as a Fisheries Officer in the protection Branch, and as well, served as Commanding Officer of the COTC and ROTP plans at St.Thomas University and Sacred Heart University in Bathurst between 1955 and 1975. As a life-long resident of Miramichi East he was an ardent golfer and honorary life member of the Miramichi Golf and Country Club. He managed the Chatham Consols 1938 Junior hockey team; having won the Maritime championship, he and they were enrolled in the Chatham Sports Wall of Fame. His love of Music - and especially vocal music, saw him cover the gamut from local musical review performer to St. Andrews Roman Catholic parish church choir director. But no Community involvement was greater than his volunteer work, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Hotel Dieu Hospital and Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home for 27 years and as chair of that board between 1982 and 1985. In recent years he enjoyed the companionship of a special group of friends who met, initially at the Golf Club, or the Bowling Lanes, but more recently at his home. George Whitty will be resting at Maher's Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 7 to 9 and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael's Basilica on Saturday, January 10, at 11:00 am; reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Canadian War Museum, 330 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ont K1A 0M8 or the Canadian Diabetes Association or the charity of one's choice would be appreciated. Arrangements under the care of Maher's Funeral Home, Miramichi. Phone 773-4321.MIRAMICHI EAST, NB