Hilton R. Whitney, Ph.D. , 95, died peacefully in his home on August 12, 2014 after a long illness. He was cared for by his daughter and his sons. He was born Nov. 5, 1918 in Gt. Barrington, the son of Raymond and Hazel Whitney of Hartsville. He attended Hartsville Elementary School and graduated from New Marlborough High School in Mill River in 1936 along with five other students. As a youth and young man, he played competitive baseball and basketball on high school, town and industrial league teams. He was a long time fan of the Red Sox and Celtics. The first in his family to attend college, he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from American International College in 1941. While there he met and later married the love of his life, the former D. Ruth Owen of Worthington. Their devoted relationship lasted 54 years until her death in 1997. In graduate school, his academic and vocational pursuits turned to psychology. He received a Master's degree from Boston University, completed extensive doctoral studies at New York University, and later completed his long sought after Ph.D. in psychology from Walden University at age 61. As a psychologist, his early work was in the personnel management field for several employers ranging from the Museum of Natural History [NYC] to Rayco Auto Seat Covers. However, for the majority of his career he practiced as an industrial psychological consultant in his own firm, H.R. Whitney Associates. His work centered on executive recruitment and personnel training. He was recognized in his field as expert in projective personality testing. Throughout his work life, he also maintained a part-time private clinical practice. Survivors include his children and their spouses, Rev. Kathryne Whitney Kulisich [Russell] of Pittsfield and Tyngsboro, MA, Myles Hilton Whitney, Ph.D. [Margaret Ann] of North Adams, and Jerod Owen Whitney [Debra] of Hackettstown, NJ. Grandchildren include Laura Kosina [Alan] of Bella Vista, AK, Deborah O'Meara [John] of Bourne, MA, Scott Purcell [Cassandra] of Hudson, NH, Ann Whitney [William Nason] of Pittsfield, Jessica Whitney [Lamont Allen] of Amherst, Lorna Whitney of North Adams, and Geralyn and Samantha Whitney of Hackettstown, NJ, and thirteen great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his brother Roger A. Whitney. Funeral Notice: A service celebrating the life of the late Hilton R. Whitney, Ph.D. will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington, conducted by Pastor Phil Thurmond. Burial will follow at Corashire Cemetery in Monterey, MA. The family will receive friends on Friday, August, 15th from 5-7p.m. at the funeral home and then again on Saturday, Aug. 16th from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Donations in his memory may be made to either HospiceCare of the Berkshires or Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To sign the register book or send remembrances please visit www.finnertyandstevens.com
