Leonard A. Whitman

Leonard A. Whitman, 92, of Chaplin, died peacefully in the comfort of his own home on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Len was born in Cranston, RI, son of the late Frederick and Elizabeth (Bender) Whitman. He spent the years of his youth in the Cranston area and left on June 2, 1943 to join the US Army Air Force to serve his country during WWII. He attended Advanced Pilot School and graduated from Williams Field in Chandler, AZ on September 8, 1944. He was a member of the 438th Troop Carrier Group, 87th Troop Carrier Squadron and piloted C-47 Skytrains, flying supplies and towing gliders to the front lines. He also piloted CG-4A Hadrian gliders and took part in Operation Varsity, flying a glider into Western Germany, behind enemy lines. Len was honorably discharged from the service as a first lieutenant on January 6, 1947. He was awarded the Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal and Army Occupation Medal as a result of his proud service. Soon after returning home to RI, his sister introduced him to his first wife, Roberta Tyler. Roberta grew up in Connecticut and the young couple acquired a beautiful parcel of land on the Natchaug River in Chaplin to be closer to her family. Len was very ambitious and handy, so he built a home on the land. He obtained employment with Connecticut Light and Power and worked steadily with them from 1950 through 1983, retiring as a Senior Field Technician. A few years prior to his retirement, Roberta developed cancer. Len took care of her in their home until she passed away. Soon after her death, Len was reunited with Roberta?s cousin, Dorothy Lawton. It wasn?t long before they fell in love. Len and Dorothy were married on his birthday in 1981. They had 35 years together, traveling all over the United States and Canada in their blue Dodge pickup with the pop-up camper on the back, attending 438th Troop Carrier Group Reunions, wintering in Florida and summering at home on the Natchaug River. They met and visited many wonderful friends and enjoyed all that life had to offer on their 35 year journey. Len never had children of his own, but he was a father in every sense of the word to Dorothy?s five children, and he grandfathered their children through all of the years he and Dorothy spent together. Len was pre-deceased by his wives, Roberta (Tyler) Whitman and Dorothy (Lawton) Whitman, and by his brother Kenneth Whitman. He leaves his beloved sister, Pearl Burnside and niece Leslie Knight. He also leaves his five step-children and their spouses, Janet and David Glazebrook, Jaycee and Patty Clark, Judi and Mitch Pawlowski, Jacki and Colin Charest and Jennifer and Jim Kelaher, as well as nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He also leaves his special friends and neighbors Raymond (Red) Peck Jr. and Raymond (Beau) Peck III. The family would like to thank his care givers, Mabel Anderson and Richard Frempong for their dedication to Len?s care in his final years. Leonard?s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday March 30, 2018 from 12:30pm to 2:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195), Willimantic, with a memorial service beginning 2:00pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chaplin Senior Center, 132 Chaplin Street, Chaplin, CT where Len spent his later years enjoying good friends and fellowship. For an online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .
Charitable donations may be made to:Chaplin Senior Center132 Chaplin St., Chaplin CT 06235