Payson R. Whitney Jr.

Payson R. “Whit” Whitney, Jr., 82, of Ledyard, CT, husband of Katie (Mahoney) Whitney for 52 years, passed away October 31, 2023, at Crescent Point in Niantic, CT. He was born on November 12, 1940, in Worcester, MA. He was the son of the late Payson R. Whitney, Sr. and the late Priscilla (Ordway) Whitney.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Payson R. Whitney, III and his wife Elizabeth of Watertown, MA and Michael M. Whitney and his wife Frances of Mystic, CT; a daughter, Katherine Reeves and her husband Michael of Athol, MA; two sisters, Linda McGuigan of Gambrills, MD and Pamela Reilly and her husband William of Peachtree Corners, GA; five grandchildren, Annabelle, Charlotte, Ella, Whitney, and Luke; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Whit had lived in Ledyard since 1983.

Whit was a graduate of Cheshire High School, class of 1958, and Yale University, class of 1962, where he received a B.S. in Industrial Administration. A 20-year veteran of the US Navy, he achieved the rank of Commander. He served on the nuclear submarines USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN 624-Blue Crew), PCU Grayling (SSN 646), USS Nautilus (SSN 571), USS Haddo (SSN 604), and as Executive Officer on the USS Bergall (SSN 667). He also served on staff at the USN Submarine School, Groton and COMOPTEVFOR, Norfolk. He was proud to have served his country, and he beamed as he took his children and grandchildren on tours of the Nautilus after she became a museum, pointing out his duty station and stateroom.

After retirement from the Navy in 1983, Whit was a department manager for Analysis & Technology. He later worked at Carwild Corporation as an engineer and special projects manager for over 25 years, retiring in 2020 at age 79. Whit proudly served Yale as the Treasurer and President of the Yale Club of Eastern Connecticut. He was especially dedicated to Yale as the local Yale Alumni Schools Director, where he oversaw and personally interviewed prospective students for 18 years.

Whit was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother who put family first. He loved spending time with his family, especially with his grandchildren. During the summer, he enjoyed the company of extended family and friends at Attawan Beach. He and Katie shared outings with their treasured family members throughout the year. Whit will be remembered by family and friends as brilliant, kind, dedicated, welcoming, and witty.

The family sincerely thanks the skilled professionals at Mind Matters LLC in Groton, Visiting Angels, Crescent Point, and the Norwich-based Center for Hospice Care for their care and compassion.
Calling hours are 5 to 8 pm on Monday, November 6 at Cummings-Gagne Funeral Home, 82 Cliff Street, Norwich, CT. Funeral services are at 10 am on Tuesday, November 7 at the Congregational Church of Holland, 11 Sturbridge Rd, Holland, MA. Burial with military honors will follow in the Holland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation, 4966 Euclid Road, Suite 109, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (dolphinscholarship.org) or the Lewy Body Dementia Association (lbda.org).

Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain, is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share a memory or note of sympathy at www.carlsonfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Payson R. Whitney Jr., please visit our floral store.