DANFORTH – Stanley Earl Whiteman, 91, son of Leander and Alice Hansen Whiteman, died May 3, 2013, at his home. He was born Oct. 2, 1921, in Belleville, N.J., and grew up in Oakville, Conn.
He held the ham license, W1MDZ, since the 30s and was a member of the 99ers group. As a veteran of World War II, he served honorably in the Merchant Marine as a radio operator, one of those who made the dangerous voyage to Murmansk. The Russian government honored him with a medal. After the war he worked for Northwest Airlines in Japan then joined the Weather Bureau to begin building the radio stations supporting the weather operations in the Arctic. When his mentor, Colonel Hubbard, was killed in a plane crash before his eyes, he left the government and bought a farm in Maine. There he met his wife Mary Ellen French Whiteman. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last October. In 1951 Stan returned to the Merchant Marine until he went to work for WABI-TV, Bangor, where he remained until he went to work for Central Intelligence Agency, Washington D.C., in 1956 to advance his career. He lived in Iran, Cyprus and Nigeria. He traveled throughout Africa, South America and the Far East, retiring in 1978. He and his wife lived in Falls Church, Va., for 10 years then moved to their little horse farm in Leesburg, Va., where they lived for the next 22 years. While living in Virginia, Stan studied for five years at Corcoran School of Art in continuation of his painting, which he started at around 10 years old. He took courses at George Washington University, the Smithsonian and was a member of Loudoun County Art Society. He was also a copyist at National Gallery of Art. He was a life member of National Rifle Association. Retirement eventually brought them back to Maine in 1992 to settle where his wife was born and near his farm property. He organized several art shows in the Danforth town hall including an international show that brought many Canadian artists and musicians. He was a proud member of McKinley Post No. 46 American Legion, Danforth, once the U.S. government recognized the sacrifices the Merchant Marine made in World War II.
Stan is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; close cousin, Vera Boardman of Woodbury, Conn.; nephew, Roy Whiteman of Fairfield, N.J.; niece and husband, Norma and Richard Chesnut of Fairfield, N.J.; great-nieces and great-nephews; honorary family members, Dana and Angela and children, Caleb and Aaron Morrison of Weston; and life long friend, Nelson Corcoran of Hilton Head, S.C. He was predeceased by brothers, Arthur and Norman. Special mention must be made of his care givers, Gloria Corry, Karen Malone, Pam DeWitt, Stephen Bailey, Ashley Malone, Angela and of course I can’t overlook Dr. Sussman, my rock.
A private celebration of life with a barbecue will be held Sunday, May 5, at his home. His interment will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at Danforth Cemetery. The Rev. Peter Grenier will officiate with the American Legion. Arrangements are with Clay Funeral Home-Bartlett Chapel, 24 Houlton Road, Danforth. For an online guestbook please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com.
Stanley Earl Whiteman
