Hollis R. Whitman, 94, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 31, 2016, at VNA Hospice House.
He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Norma Jane; daughter Catee (Gary) Ingwersen, of Vero Beach; son H. William Whitman of Bethel, Conn.; brothers Perry Whitman, Jr., and Donald Whitman both of Hancock, Mass.; sisters Emma Blair and Marjorie Southard, both of Hancock, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Lawrence Whitman.
Whitman was born Sept. 4, 1921 in Pittsfield, Mass., and grew up in Hancock, Mass., with six siblings.
He met his bride, Norma Jane Blanchard in North Adams where they both attended North Adams Teachers College and then completed their Masters degrees at Columbia University.
After teaching at Baldwin School in Watertwon, Conn., Whitman became principal in West Hartford and served as President of the Elementary Principals Association. He moved to Danbury, Conn., where he became the director of personnel for the Danbury Public School system until his retirement. He and Norma have been residents of Vero Beach since 1991.
Whitman was a 32nd degree Ancient Scottish Rite Master Freemason, member of the Valley of Waterbury jurisdiction and proud member for 60 years.
An active member of the Vero Beach community, Whitman volunteered with Schacht Grove during the citrus season, collecting fruit and delivering to St. Francis Manor, local charities and food banks.
He and his wife were actively involved in St. James Episcopal church in Danbury, Conn., as well as members of Trinity Episcopal Church and volunteered as a Salvation Army bell ringer during the holidays. Whitman was a passionate and expert gardener and enjoyed collecting and restoring antique furniture.
People who had the privilege of knowing him often described him as a gentleman- honest, thoughtful, caring, considerate and humble.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on April 9, 2016, at the Indian River Estates East Multipurpose Room, 2250 Indian Creek Blvd. West, Vero Beach.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or the Salvation Army, http://www.salvationarmyflorida.org/.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.