Obituary of John Whitney

John Cary Whitney Allegany, NY John Cary Whitney, of 4056 Birch Run Rd. passed away Monday (November 17, 2014) at The Pines Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Olean. Born December 2, 1942 in Glens Falls, NY he was the son of Maurice Cary and Betty Saunders Whitney. On August 20, 1983 in Oviedo, FL he married Kim A. Mickelson who survives. Mr. Whitney was a graduate of Ithaca College where he majored in music education. He later received a Master's degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA. He first taught music at the West Genesee School District and then for the University of Central Florida in Orlando where he was a Professor of Music and directed the Jazz Lab Band and the University's Symphony Orchestra. He moved to the Olean area to teach strings at the Olean City School District as well as direct its orchestra. Following that, he taught at the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts until his retirement. Music was a lifelong passion, so after moving back to New York State, he founded the Southern Tier Symphony. He directed the orchestra until the onset of illness. For his entire career he was involved in musical associations including the American Symphony Orchestra League, Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity where he was named "Signature Sintonian" of the fraternity and acted as a Province Governor, the Music Educators National Conference, the American String Teachers Association and the Buffalo Musicians Association Union Local #92. He was a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Olean and had also been a member of the Olean Rotary Club in recent years for which served as the club's song master. John is survived by his wife Kim; 1 daughter Sarah (Thomas) McCormack of Pelham Manor; 1 son Ryan Whitney of Allegany; 2 granddaughters Kaitlyn and Grace McCormack; 1 sister Marilyn "Dale" Kimura of King's Point, FL. Friends are invited to attend Celebration of Life service to be held Sunday (November 23, 2014) at 2:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Olean. Rev. Bruce Levine, pastor, will officiate. A reception will immediately follow in the church fellowship room. Burial will take place in Mansion Memorial Park in Ellenton, FL. Memorials may be made to the Olean Rotary Club, PO Box 127 Olean, NY 14760, the Alzheimer's Association of WNY, 2805 Wehrle Dr., Suite 6, Williamsville, NY 14221 or to the Southern Tier Symphony, PO Box 501 Olean, NY 14760.