Obituary of Norman Whittemore

The Rev. Norman G. Whittemore Of Endicott The Rev. Norman G. Whittemore, 84, passed on to eternal rest on Sunday, August 12, 2007, at the J. G. Johnston Nursing Home, after a long life of dedicated service to his community and his fellow man. Norman graduated from Union-Endicott High School in 1941, where he served as senior class president. After graduation he began work at IBM Endicott as a secretary, but entered the U.S. Navy, where he spent the war years as an Airman/Radio Operator, flying hundreds of B-24 missions out of England and France. He was an avid World War II historian and kept in touch with many of his Navy crewmen right up until his death. He was a proud owner of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Returning home after the war, Norman spent most of his years at IBM, working as an administrative assistant to the head of manufacturing operations. He is a past president of the IBM Quarter Century Club. He was a true blue IBMer who loved his job and his many friends with the company. While at IBM, Norman was called by the Lord to further serve his fellow man. For a time he was a lay leader at St. Pauls Methodist Church, Endicott, then began a long-term study to obtain his Methodist Pastors license. In 1964, while still with IBM, he became Pastor of the Whittemore Hill Methodist Church, a church bearing the name of the great-great-grandfather, Isaac Whittemore, who donated the land for the church in 1851. Norman had sat in the church as a child growing up. He served the church as Pastor for 30 years, retiring to the position of Pastor Emeritus in 1994. He also served concurrently as Pastor of Wesley Methodist Church from 1979 until about 1994. Until his recent confinement from illness, Norman continued as much as he could to minister to his parishioners, constantly visiting hospitals and nursing homes. He was proudest of all the marriages and baptisms he performed over the years. Norman was born on 1923, son of Ray and Mae Whittemore. In 1941, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Irene McMullen, who predeceased him in 1995. The couple had three children, Mrs. Ellen Grubham, Kirkwood; Norman Kim Whittemore, Wappinger Falls, NY; and Mrs. Cathie Hinkley, Endwell, who predeceased him in 2005. He is also survived by his brother, Warren, and is predeceased by brother, Carl and Ray; and sister, Iona. Also, the couple had five grandchildren and four great-granddaughters. He is also predeceased by a grandson, Mark R. Hinkley in 1985. Norman is also survived by his loyal friend, companion and lunch mate of the last eight years, Mrs. Elsie Gozzio, Endwell, who was a high school classmate and stood by him till the very end. Our family wishes to express our sincerest thanks to the nurses and staff at the Hilltop Retirement Center and the J.G. Johnston Nursing Home for their wonderful care over the past few years. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 17, 2007 , at the Central United Methodist Church, 17 Nanticoke Ave., Endicott. The Revs. Daniel Ling, Lea Harding and Vickie Maxon will officiate. An interment service will be held 12:30 p.m., Friday at Broadway Cemetery, Day Hollow Rd., Owego. Memorial contributions may be made to the Whittemore Hill United Methodist Church, c/o Warren Whittemore, 4931 Day Hollow Rd., Endicott, NY 13760