R. Jack Rev. Whitehead

The Reverend R. Jack Whitehead After a long life of service to the Lord, his family and communities, beloved husband, father, grandfather (“Grampy”), uncle, pastor, and friend, “Jack” Whitehead, 85,entered his eternal rest peacefully early Saturday morning at South County Hospital, RI amidst loving family. He shared a full life with devoted wife of 61 years, Phyllis, their children, Diane and Steven and their spouses Paul and Linda, with his seven grandchildren, and the many communities where he served as clergyman and pastor. He was predeceased by their daughter Andrea Lynn Whitehead, who has been dearly missed and loved since her loss at age 3 from leukemia; and his brothers, Wilbur and Phillip Whitehead. We who love and grieve also celebrate his reunion with these dear ones for whom he has been increasingly in reflection and yearning to see. Born in Corry, PA, Jack was the son of the late Tracy and Donna Whitehead. As a youth, Jack developed into the leader that would define his personality and career. Active in scouting, sports, music and the church life of his family, he earned an Eagle Scout badge, lettered in high school football, and learned to fly, piloting solo the same day he attained his driver’s license at sixteen. At Corry High School, he met his future wife, Phyllis L Hill, where they both sang in the choir and played in the high school band, later joining lives in 1954 after he was called to military service. Music was Jack’s first calling and ever-present source of inspiration and joy which he and Phyllis have encouraged and shared with others lifelong. He received both a B.A. and an M.A. in Music for Voice and Choral Conducting at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He led choirs at Frankford Congregational and Springcreek Churches in Pennsylvania. He enjoyed planning and leading a high school choir trip to Toronto, Canada where the choir was featured in a performance on CBC radio. Following two years of military service as Assistant to the Army Chaplain, stationed at Bad Kreuznach, Germany during the Korean conflict, Jack served in the music ministry of South Congregational Church in Hartford, CT, Phyllis assisting. There, his ultimate calling led him to enroll at Bangor Theological Seminary where he was awarded a Masters in Divinity and was ordained in June of 1963. As a United Church of Christ (UCC) clergyman, Rev. Whitehead served as pastor to communities in four New England states, beginning with student posts at Milbridge and Wyman Churches in Maine, Associate Pastor at Saugatuck Congregational Church in Westport CT, and Pastor of Hope Church E. Providence RI. After 23 years at Bethany Congregational Church in Foxboro, MA, he retired and remained fondly connected as Pastor Emeritus. Reverend Whitehead especially loved time on the ocean, as well as planning and taking trips and vacations with his family, which included a month long pulpit exchange with a fellow pastor in Cambuslang, Scotland. He continued a love of sports and recreation, became an avid New England Patriots fan, and occasionally provided his services and counsel to Patriots personnel while in Foxboro. Following his “retirement”, reverend and Mrs. Whitehead relocated to Kingston, RI where they became active in the Kingston Congregational Church. Jack joined the staff in 1995 as Minister of Visitation. He and Phyllis have continued their educational and cultural interests at the University of Rhode Island and elsewhere in the South County area. Reverend Whitehead served as a chaplain of the Fire department in East Providence, and as well, at Norwood Hospital, MA. While in Kingston, he developed the Protestant chaplaincy program at South County Hospital. Additionally, he provided spiritual and comforting counsel and services at several medical care facilities in southern RI. The common theme throughout all these various relationships and ministries was Rev. Whitehead’s gentleness, playful sense of humor, great wisdom and love of the Lord, which shone through him always. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Visiting hours will be at the Avery-Storti Funeral home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield, RI on Wednesday March 2nd between 4-6 PM. A private burial and committal service will be held at the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, RI. A public memorial service will be held at 3 PM Thursday March 3rd at the Kingston Congregational Church, Kingston, RI. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kingston Congregational Church, 2610 Kingstown Rd. Kinston RI 02881, or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1210 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held at Bethany Congregational Church in Foxboro MA will be planned for a future date.