Thurlow W. “Toddy” Whitman, of Arkport
Arkport, NY – Thurlow W. “Toddy” Whitman, 95 of Main St. passed away Thursday evening (March 6, 2014) at the Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wellsville.
Born in Hornell on July 31, 1918 he was a son of the late Carl and Irene Almy Whitman.
Toddy was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1938, where he was a member of the basketball team.
He proudly served his country during World War II from 1940 until his honorable discharge in 1945 serving as a medic in the 1st Armored Division located in North Africa and Italy; he was a life member of the 1st Armored Division Association “Old Ironsides” at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Upon his return from serving his country, Toddy joined his father in operating and subsequently owning Whitman’s Tavern and Restaurant until the late 1960’s when Urban Renewal came to Hornell. He located his business to Dansville where he owned the Old Madrid. He returned to Hornell to operate the Hornell Country Club restaurant and banquet facilities and the Williams Inn before retiring.
He was referred to as “The Best Bartender in Hornell” and took great delight in having earned that title. An article appeared about him in The Evening Tribune. Upon his retirement he took great pride in manicuring and maintaining his property, especially his tulips.
A member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, he was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell. Toddy was one of the oldest members of the Hornell Elks Lodge No. 364 in Hornell, having been a member for nearly 70 years. His other memberships included the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440, the Cpl. J.J. Mooney VFW Post No. 2250, the Hornell Council No. 243, Knights of Columbus, the Beato Angelo Society and the G. Carducci Lodge, Sons of Italy in Hornell. He was also a past-president of the New York State Hotel & Restaurant Association.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Todd Whitman; his stepson, Charles Leith; his two brothers, Walt Whitman and Jack Whitman and his two sisters, Marion “Dutchie” Atherton and Dorothy Treahy.
His surviving family includes his wife of 33 years, the former Ann M. Sciotti; his four children, Bonnie (Jim) Foster of Torrance, Calif., Connie Roselli of Webster, N.Y., Mark (Christie) Whitman of York, Pa. and John (Suzanne) Whitman of Severn, Md.; his two step children, Arthur (Deborah) Leith of Mandeville, La., and Theresa (William) Coleman of North Hornell, N.Y.; his six grandchildren, Colleen (Jay) Cavalieri, Tia Roselli Liddy (Brian Lehr), Anthony Roselli, Kevin (Sandy) Whitman, Katie Whitman and Marcus Whitman; his five step-grandchildren, Nick Coleman, Katie Coleman (Stuart) McHenry, Theresa Leith, Sophia Leith and Rachel Leith; his six great-grandchildren, Alexa Cavalieri, Troy Cavalieri, Adam Liddy, Michael Liddy, Joseph Liddy and Ryder Whitman; his step-great-grandchild, Cami Caffarelli; his two sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Lois Sciotti and Lucy and Robert Alger; also several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to a dear friend, Dr. Byron Collins and the staff at St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell as well as the staff at Highland Park in Wellsville for the wonderful care they provided to Toddy.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Thurlow W. “Toddy” Whitman.
Calling hours are from 4-7:30 p.m. Monday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell where the Hornell Elks Lodge will conduct a memorial service at the conclusion of calling hours at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Friends are invited to meet his family at St. Ann’s Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
The United States flag and the Army flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Toddy’s service with the U.S. Army.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either St. Ann’s Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell or to the Sons of Italy, 70 Erie Ave., Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences or remembrances of Toddy are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
