This memorial website was created to hold the memories we share of Dr. John Whitney.
The quote above is from Winnie the Pooh... John added "Believe It" and it was in a last words folder for those of us left behind.
John has touched, changed and enriched so many of our lives and careers. Never one to boast an accomplishment or seek accolades, he lived his life in service to others through his beliefs, ideals and passions.
Whether he was your friend, mentor and/or colleague we invite you to share how John touched your life.
He will indeed be forever missed. We hope that this sharing creates a tribute to the exceptional individual whose life's path crossed and touched all of ours.
You can share a few words here or share a story and memory under the stories tab or about a photo you may recognize. And please upload and share any photos you may have of John. Check back as I hope this site continues to grow as we all share in the memories of JTW.
From left to right: Cathy, Tom, Carol, Eileen, Mom, John, Dorothy, Jim
So many people recollect John for his amazing insights, his intellect, his teachings and such. I will always remember him for his salad dressing.
Let me explain. I am Lyn's sister Kathy. For the past 25 years I have had the greatest of privileges to call John not only a friend, but family.
As with so many families, bonding begins in the kitchen. It was the place where, with John, you learned so many things about his life, his beliefs, and his wonderful way of making you see the world a little different than before. You also learned, very quickly, what a fantastic cook he was and how he loved to be in the kitchen preening over the stove. There are so many funny and wonderful stories my family and I share of moments in the kitchen with John.
I don't recall the exact first time that I tasted "THE salad dressing" but I do know that once we experienced it, he was tasked with always making sure to make it when we were together.
Always the teacher, he was kind enough to show me how to make it but somehow, even though I always followed the directions, it never tasted quite as good. Maybe a secret ingredient was left out of what I was given or perhaps part of the flavor was imparted from the chef himself and the care in which he prepared it. I believe the later to be the truth.
John lived life on his own terms and in doing so, held a mirror up to all who knew him that we have the power to choose any path that we want or can imagine for ourselves. It doesn't matter how much money you have or how old you are, there is always another door to open and another path that you can go down and find new challenges and new passions waiting for you.
He has now simply opened a new door and taken a new path somewhere that we can't follow just yet but I have no doubt that our paths will cross again.
So till then John, I will continue my quest for the perfect salad dressing.
Almost 2 years ago I had a nearly fatal bout of bacterial meningitis and since then John would occassionally email to ask how "Paul 2.0 was recovering". He was more than interested - he was intrigued. He wanted details..... :) I haven't been a client for about 5 or 6 years but he still cared. A kind voice.
I have several good memories of John but his recent interest is how I will remember him. So kind.
