HODGKINS EAST WINTHROP – Dad passed peacefully on the kind of day he loved, a clear and crisp fall day, Oct. 28, 2007. He was born July 3, 1923, in Trenton, to Laurence and Mary (Royal) Hodgkins. Whit was the eldest of seven children. He attended school in Ellsworth and after graduation, joined the war effort, training as a tail gunner. Dad was very proud of his service to his country and often shared memories of World War II days. Soon after the war, Whit married his sweetheart, Bee, thus beginning their lifelong journey together. Whit enrolled at the University of Maine in Orono, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture and later pursuing his master’s degree. After a brief time in Boston, Dad and Mom returned to Maine, and Whit began his career with the University Cooperative Extension Service, Augusta, where he honed his natural abilities as a real people person. Making connections with people and helping them work toward accomplishing their goals was a source of great pride to him. In 1958 Mom and Dad moved to East Winthrop to the home he built for his wife and two young girls. Here he cultivated his love for growing things into beautiful gardens full of small fruits, vegetables and flowers. Together the family ran White’s Orchard, one of the first pick-your-own apple orchards in the area, for more than 25 years. After selling the farm, Dad continued his passion for growing apples at Whit’s Orchard, behind the yellow house on Case Road, where he was always eager to show a new variety he was trying or give a lesson in pruning and grafting. Most important to Dad was the time he could spend with his family. Papa loved taking his grandsons for rides on “Big Red” and “Little Green,” good times spent with family at the camp in Wayne and road trips to Tomhegan on Moosehead Lake. Whitney was predeceased by his daughter, Sharon Lee; brothers, Phil and Jerry; and sister-in-law, Marion; sister, Helen; brother-in-law, Clayton Gott; brothers-in-law, Stewart Cousins and James Lebares. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bee; their daughter, Kathy Brown and her husband, Bill; grandsons, Paul and Rob of Mount Vernon; brothers, Elmer and wife, Maureen, and Jim and wife, Sue, all of Trenton; and sister, Jeanice Cousins of Billings, Mont.; brother-in-law, Bud and his wife, Joy, of Surry; sister-in-law, Helen of Falmouth, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Sincere thanks to Dr. Kane, Dr. Magiancolda, Dr. Baggott and Dr. Wirth for their excellent care and genuine caring throughout Dad’s illnesses. Special thanks to all the wonderful staff, residents and their families at the Maine Veterans’ Home for your care and concern for Dad, Mom and our family throughout Dad’s illness. Warm and heartfelt thanks to dear friends and family who so thoughtfully showed their concern and caring, and kept in touch with cards, phone calls and visits. You all hold a special place in our hearts. At Dad’s request, there will be no visiting hours. A graveside service with military honors will take place 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to a 4-H youth group of your choosing or Pine Tree Society and Camp, P.O. Box 518, Bath, ME 04530. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta. www.khrfuneralhomes.com
LAURENCE WHITNEY
