Kenneth Foster Whitman of Hampton Bays died on July 6. He was 81.
He was born on March 27, 1941, to Foster Whitman and Yvonne Downs and was raised in East Quogue with his brother Walt Whitman (predeceased).
While growing up in East Quogue, Whitman was an active member of the East Quogue Fire Department. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves for eight years, and was honorably discharged in 1968, at which time he moved to Hampton Bays.
After briefly working for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, he proudly became a police officer with the Town of Southampton Police Department (Badge #59), which he retired from after 20 years of service. Being young at heart and wanting to keep mentally and physically fit after working for the Southampton Town Police force, he worked for Bellringer Security for 20-plus years, his family said.
Whitman was a firm believer in the importance of giving back to the community, and he volunteered for many years at the Hand Aldrich Ambulance Corps and then was a founding member of the Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
After retiring from two full careers, Whitman spent his time traveling with his beloved wife, Kathy, watching his grandchildren grow up, woodworking and sitting in his favorite chair on his porch enjoying a glass of wine.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kathy Whitman; their children Kenneth Whitman, Toni-Ann (Paul) Warren, Sean Whitman, Krista (Edisa) Whitman; eight grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, July 16, from 2-4 and 7–9 p.m. at Scott Rothwell Funeral Home in Hampton Bays. A private cremation previously took place. The family is welcoming all visitors who would like to pay their respects, and kindly requests that all visitors please wear masks.