Mr. Joseph Howard Whitney's Obituary
Death Notice: Joseph Howard Whitney
Born: September 17, 1950 in Glen Falls, NY; died October 26, 2015. After a long battle with multiple myeloma, Joe passed away while under palliative care at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL. A native of New York, Joe lived most of his life in Florida, arriving in Ocala, FL during his middle school years. He graduated from Ocala High School and received an associate degree from Ocala Junior College. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduation and spent almost four years at Mac Dill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL. As he put it, “if you will check the records during the Viet Nam War, Tampa was never attacked.” He was a ground to air radio operator and maintained lifelong friendships with fellow airmen. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant during his enlistment. After separating from the Air Force, he worked a number of different jobs, including working with Brinks Armored Truck Service, food stamp worker with the Florida Department of Children and Family Services, manager of his brother-in-law’s auto repair shop, a Hertz Penske truck rental agent, and a customer service worker at Time Customer Service. He retired after 20 plus years with TCS. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Olga Whitney and his brother, Col. Jay Whitney, Retired Air Force. He is survived by his loving wife, Lynne Ebert Whitney and two young sons, Michael Joseph and Matthew Mark, his ex-wife, Edith Erb, and numerous nieces and nephews in the Whitney, Ebert and Erb families. Joe had a passion for many things in life including airplanes, sports, movies, music, travel, pets including dog shows, and enjoying time with friends and family. He had a strong belief in God and was a devoted Methodist, serving his church in numerous positions. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 14 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of Seffner, 1310 S. Kingsway, Seffner, FL 33584. Visitation with friends and family will begin at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that gifts be made in memory of Joseph “Joe” Whitney to the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation (for multiple myeloma). Gifts can be made online or mailed to 12902 Magnolia Drive / MBC-FOUND / Tampa, FL 33612.
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