Memoriam:7803

VROC # 7803

Rest in Peace
June 16, 1939 - June 23, 2012

From the obituary for Jim Whitehead Jr.:

James H. Whitehead, Jr. 1939-2012 SPRINGFIELD - James H. Whitehead, Jr. 73, of Springfield died Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Wingate of Springfield. James, son of Gladys H. (Barber) Whitehead of Mystic, CT and the late James H. Whitehead, Sr. was born in New London CT on June 16, 1939. Raised in Stonington, CT he graduated from Stonington High School. James was employed by American Saw of East Longmeadow as a machine operator for 28 years and retired in 2001. He has resided in Springfield for the past 46 years and was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church, Springfield. James was an avid reader, loved to dabble with numerous hobbies through the years, and until last year enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Northeast Three Wheelers Motorcycle Club, and headed the Beat Management Team for the Springfield Police. James served his country with the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 49 years, Maureen M. (Morrissette) Whitehead; his children; Captain James H. Whitehead III of the US Coast Guard and his wife Linda of Friendswood, TX, Christine A. Clippinger and her husband Michael of Kansas City, MO, Michael P. Whitehead and his wife Kimberley of Chicopee, Arthur D. Whitehead and his wife Rachel of Palmdale, CA, and Jennifer M. Whitehead of Chicopee; a brother, Robert E. Whitehead and his wife Mary of Central Village, CT; 12 grandchildren, Timothy, Joshua, James IV, Lindsay, Alexander, Chelsea, Ryan, Haley, Aiden, Emerson, Hunter, and Noah; and many nieces and nephews. Friends are asked to meet on Wednesday afternoon, June 27, 2012, at St. Patrick's Church, 1900 Allen Street, Springfield to celebrate the Liturgy of Christian Burial for James at 12:30 p.m. Rites of Committal and Interment will follow in the Chapel of the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam.