Donald Patrick Whitney Jr

Donald Patrick Whitney Jr.

1944- 2026

Son of Donald Patrick Whitney Sr. and Lillian Adelaide (Hennessey) Whitney of Portland, ME

Attended St Dominic’s Grammar School and Portland High School, entered the US Naval Reserve in 1963, served on the USS Neosho AO 143 in the 6th Fleet. Involved in Operation Power Pack, 1965 Dominican Republic and NASA’s Gemini 5 Atlantic recovery group.

Appointed to the Portland Fire Department in 1966, assigned to busiest engine companies in northern New England working with the greatest firefighters. Promoted to Fire Lieutenant in 1975. Retired in 1987.

Worked for twenty years training firefighters throughout Maine and authoring books on Portland firefighters and firefighting. Curator of the Portland Fire Museum, pro bone, for thirty years.

Performed as a professional musician on drums for twenty-five years with country western and jazz luminaries including, Tom Whitehead, Peter Dunphy, Don and Al Doane, Mark Finks, Jim Cullum of San Antonio, Mark Tipton, Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans, Thomas Snow, Caroline Cotter, Gerhard Grammel of Austria and many other highly talented and gifted musicians.

Donald was predeceased by his devout parents and by his gifted son, Brendon Patrick (Alias) Whitney and by his loving wife of 52 years, Cindy Lou (Brandt) Whitney.

Donald is survived by his daughter, Aubrey Cummings (Theodore), Son, Ehren Whitney (Sean Carroll), Daughter in law, Jennifer Whitney, and granddaughters, Sophia and Quincey Cummings, Aiko and lnara Whitney and his honorary granddaughter, Rosa Davy.

Don was blessed by each of his family members and by each of his friends worldwide. Please keep Donald in your prayers for the repose of his soul.

Visiting hours will be held from 9:00am to 10:30am on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway with a Requiem Mass at 11:00am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 124 Cottage Road. Interment will follow at Forest City Cemetery, Lincoln Street, South Portland at the Portland Veteran Firemen’s Association Lot.