John B. Whitten

OAKLAND – John B. Whitten, 80, passed away on April 24, 2024, in Augusta.

He was born July 2, 1943, in Portland, the son of Wendell and Hariet Whitten of Scarborough. He graduated high school in 1961 and earned a B.S. in education in Music from Gorham State Teachers College in 1965. He would later earn his master’s degree in music administration from the university of Southern Maine in 1985. On July 27, 1968 he married Gale (Kelley) of Jonesport and together they raised their children in Harrington.

John spent his career in music studying trumpet-first with studio musician Don Spear and with Band Leader Don Doane (Maine’s premier jazz trombonist). He taught music in Winslow, Jonesport and finally in Harrington at Narraguagus High School and M.S.D.A. #37 for 37 years. While with Narraguagus High School, he combined teaching band, chorus and beginner music lessons with serving his country and state, as a member of the 282nd Army Band at Ft. Jackson, S.C. and the 195th Maine Army National Guard Band of Bangor.

He was president of the Washington County Teachers Association and twice president for the M.S.D.A. #37 Teachers Association. He also served as a member of the Harrington Volunteer Ambulance Crew and performed military honors for veterans in the area, as a bugler. He was a member of the Tuscon Lodge #106 A.F.A.M. in Addison and visited Sabasticook Lodge in Oakland and Siloam Lodge in Fairfield. He grandson Erik is a third generation Mason on both sides. He exported blueberries for Cherryfield Foods Inc. for nearly 20 years and later worked for Charlie Renski.

John enjoyed carpentry, gardening, ham radio(A.R.S.KA1HRV), reading, supporting the New York Giants ad visiting with his family. Later he joined the Waterville American Legion Post #5 and worked last year with the Maine Education Association testifying at the State House in support of retired educators.

Almost 37 years ago in 1987, John had his first triple bypass in Portland six days before his 44th birthday after Dr. Kramer had told him, “If you don’t want cholesterol problems, choose the right parents!” He lived Heart Smart after with no egg yolks of red meat and later limited salt. In 2017, he had his first heart attack with new house building problems in Oakland, after living in Harrington after 50 years. Dr. Estrada’s team and later on, Dr. Vasaiwala’s, saved him in Portland again. Last May, John had his final procedure there and Dr. Kramer visited him in recovery after he had been able to live another 36 years beyond their first meeting.

John is survived by his loving wife, Gale, of 55 years; their twin daughters Ellyn and her husband Derik Smith of Presque Isle and their children Erik and his wife Mykaela of Old Town and Adelle of Presque Isle; Lynn and her husband Nathan Bustard and their daughter Evelyn of Benton, and their son Andrew and his wife Erica and their children Alyssa, Sara and Brooke of Corinna; nephews Robert and Aaron Whitten; his lifelong college chum, George Perkins and his wife Linda of Wells; Michael Fickett of Cherryfield, Val and Janet Bard of Fairfield; church friends; and the Northern Light Inland Hospital Marden Cardiac Rehab Staff.

He requested no services, as he wanted to be remembered in life and will go to the ocean eventually.

His beloved children surprised him with a fabulous 80th birthday party in Waterville last July 2 that he thoroughly enjoyed and wanted to be remembered at his party. He left this message,” We are where we need to be and we follow God’s plan, as each of us is in God’s Hands!”

Arrangements are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, Church Street, Oakland, where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com

If one wishes, gifts in his memory may be made to the Maine Masonic Charities Foundation or your local music boosters in support of the music Education.