Leonard Whitney, age 97 years, of Alpha Borough, NJ, died peacefully on Monday, January 15, 2024, at St. Luke’s-Warren Hospital, with his devoted children at his side.

Born on August 2, 1926, at home in Watchung, NJ, son of the late Ernest and Lillian Godfrey Whitney, the home he was born in would eventually become known as the famous Gray’s Florist.

He was one of ten children born to Ernest and Lillian, all of whom predeceased him. Len was also preceded in death by his adored wife, Elizabeth Tomesco Whitney, and two of his six children, Scott and Brian Whitney.

Surviving are four children and their spouses, Wayne and Belinda Whitney, Scooter and Doreen Whitney, Dale and Kathy Whitney and Fay and Michael Matalenas; his daughter-in-law, Janine Whitney; sixteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; one great great grandson; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Len was a simple man whose love for his children, grandchildren, and dogs was obvious to all who knew him. Always making everyone laugh, he could spend hours telling stories from what it was like growing up in the Great Depression, to the jobs he held, to the raucous trouble he always seemed to find himself in with his brothers growing up—a true hell raiser!

His love for his grandchildren was immense. There was never a family gathering that he did not have a baby on his lap singing songs to, or creating his own nursery rhymes much to the big smile of said infant.

Len loved to spend time in his garage working on motorcycles and antique cars, which is a true passion he passed down to his children.

After retirement, he built his dream home on top of a mountain in Pennsylvania where, at the age of 87, he was still spending endless days out in the woods cutting down trees and splitting logs by hand. He spent his last years in New Jersey surrounded by family.

Len was a loving, kind, selfless man who will be deeply missed by all who knew him but each of whom are better for having him in their lives.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ, to celebrate this most special man.

A life celebration service will follow the gathering beginning at 3:30 p.m. and to which all are welcome.

For those who are unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Interment will be private.

You are encouraged to visit Len’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in Len’s memory and honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, via mail to 262 Danny Thomas PlaceMemphis, TN 38105, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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