Gerald Eugene Whitney

It is with profound sorrow the family of Gene Whitney shares the news of his passing on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. 

Gene was born to Maria Ninfa and Eugene Whitney in Guatemala City, Guatemala on June 29, 1960. He just celebrated his 64th birthday.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of almost 43 years, Amy, as well as his daughter, Abby Sines and her husband, Charlie, of Wolfsville, MD, and his son Ben Whitney and his wife, Sarah, of Arvada, CO. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Cadence, Arden and Chase Sines, as well as his mother, Ninfa Whitney of Phoenix, AZ. While Gene was an only child, he was raised with his Guatemalan cousins, Danny, Julio and Edgar Aldana of Phoenix, AZ and Alba Orellana, of Guatemala City, Guatemala, who he considered his siblings along with Amy’s sister Cathy Cordone and her husband Mike of Phoenixville, PA, and her brother, Tom McGann and his wife Kathleen of York, PA. Additionally, Gene is survived by his mother-in-law, Jenny McGann, of Haverford, PA. He is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Whitney, and his father-in-law, John McGann. 

Gene was a proud graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1982, 31st Company. He deeply enjoyed spending time with his classmates, reminiscing about their time at the Academy. 

Gene held many fascinating jobs throughout his career, starting with his time at NASA training astronauts on flight simulators, then collaborating on some of the earliest projects to develop GPS technology, and as a contractor working on early satellite technologies. At one time, he was occasionally on board NOAA Hurricane Hunter airplanes to test flight instrumentation as they flew into thunderstorms. He was happiest working hands-on in a lab and mentoring new coworkers. 

Gene dedicated years to coaching his two kids in many sports, but even after they both grew up and went off to college he continued to spend time and effort coaching competitive girls soccer for several local clubs and high schools. He loved sharing his passion and knowledge of the game with his players and seeing them grow and succeed. 

Gene enjoyed boating, traveling, a good project of his own choosing, terrible dad jokes, teasing his grandkids and taking them out to breakfast and local playgrounds. He loved attending the sporting events of his nieces and nephews and cheering them on whenever he could. He took special joy in family events, holiday dinners, or any excuse to spend time with his friends and family. 

He loved Christmas and had an uncanny knack for guessing his gift before he unwrapped it, though it has been theorized he had a system for cheating. Gene was a formidable Pretty Pretty Princess player. He had immense love for his mother-in-law, Jenny, and thoroughly enjoyed coercing her to curse in Croatian any chance he got. He loved his dog, Navy, and would never return from a trip to the store without a treat for her. He was a proud founding member of the Thurmont Bar Association. 

He treasured his family and took great joy in spending time with his many cousins and extended family. He always made a point to visit his nieces and nephews when traveling nearby and loved to take them out for a meal. Everyone who knew Gene remembers him for the genuine interest he expressed in everyone he met and loved. He was intentional in the time he spent and questions he asked when getting to know people, and would recall those details when he next met that person. He was generous, curious, and fun, often remembered as being the life of the party. 

A memorial service is being planned for fall at The Naval Academy and will be announced at a later date.