Roger Whitaker Memoriam

Roger A Whitaker

Roger Allen Whitaker, age 85, formally of the Trumansburg and Lodi Area, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2012, at the home he enjoyed in sunny Holiday, Florida.

Born December 20, 1926, in Enfield, NY, Roger was the 8th child of the late Leroy and Christina (Lindow) Whitaker. His childhood was spent in Enfield Center where he attended school in a rural one room schoolhouse. Roger proudly served his country in the US Army and was deployed to Japan at the end of WWII. Upon returning to the states Roger met the love of his life, Mary, over the food counter in S.S. Kresge, the five and dime store in downtown Ithaca, returning several times for strawberry milkshakes until Mary noticed him.

Roger worked at Ithaca Gun initially but then went to work at The Statler Hotel at Cornell University which would be life changing in his career. Roger took great pride in his work in the hospitality industry creating enjoyable meals for 1 to 1000 guests including many dignitaries traveling through Ithaca. He was well known for fashioning delicate sugar sculptures, and remarkable wedding cakes of all shapes and sizes, but what made Roger the most gratified was the many lasting relationships he made with the hotel school students. Roger was a mentor, a trustworthy friend and a dedicated family man. He was fun loving, always quick with a joke and offered guidance that was disguised advice starting with his well known statement, "You know what my Daddy always said…" Roger remained active in retirement by sharing his love of growing and cultivating by reducing his crop from a several acre vegetable garden to turning the soil of his entire backyard in Florida into a flower garden that housed his prized grapefruit trees. He was an avid square dancer, bridge player, and always the chef at the grill. Deeply missed by friends and family will be Roger's vitality, humorous enthusiasm, and sparkle.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary (Gosbee) Whitaker; children, Ronald A. (Sharon) Whitaker of Waverly, PA, Gordon L. (Susan) Whitaker of Lodi, Sharon J. (Lawrence) Weaver of Ithaca, and Robin C. (William) Chrysafides of Barker; grandchildren, Robert, Sara, Justin, Eben, Devan, Brennen, Tara, Todd, Tristen, Jessica and Dilan; 13 great grandchildren; sisters, Mabel Rumsey, Ethel Fenicchia, Helen Nelson and Lillian Willet as well as a large extended family.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul, George, and Ralph Whitaker; sisters, Alice Teeter and Ruth Chapman; and infant son, Thomas J. Whitaker.

A memorial service to celebrate Roger Whitaker's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at the Jacksonville Community Methodist Church with a reception to follow in church dining hall. In lieu of flowers donations in his name may be directed to a Hospicare of your choice or the Jacksonville Community Methodist Church, P.O. Box 244 Jacksonville, NY 14854.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ithaca Journal on May 15, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Roger Whitaker

10 Entries

Jerry Housworth

May 22, 2012

To the Whitaker family,
What great memories I have, Roger's and Mary's house was like second home to a lot of us.
The times playing, hunting, and all the weddings with your special cakes, what a special touch that always was.
Roger was more than a Dad, he set an example for all to follow.
Take care and love you all.
Jerry & Ellie Housworth

Brennen Whitaker

May 21, 2012

He will be greatly missed by all that knew him best. In loving memory of a true personal hero of mine, I will always be proud to call him my grandpa and my mentor in the food industry. I will continue to work hard at the Statler in memory and in honor of him.

Bonnie Gunn

May 16, 2012

To Mary and all the Family - My deepest, sincere sympathy goes to each of you during this difficult time. Roger was such a wonderful, caring, fun-loving person. Watching him make a cake, bowl, helping with the butchering, or dancing at Wagner's, I remember he always had that great smile and such wonderful stories to tell. He's probably telling Mom and Dad a story at this very moment! Remembering the fun, happy, loving times will help keep your hearts strong during this difficult period. Please know you're all in my thoughts, prayers, and heart.

Betty Lou van Tienhoven

May 15, 2012

Dear Mary & the entire Family,
We have this feeling there's one more star up in the sky tonight...and even though it's far away, its brightness and warmth still reach us here to make the night a little less dark. What an amazing tribute to both "Dad's" to be honored in the paper on the same day. Our hearts break for all of you, as we sure know the pain and heartache each of you are experiencing and feeling in each of your own ways. We so get it and truly understand!! We still can't believe Dad is gone and will never come walking around that corner with his hat setting cock-eyed and a smile on his face. He would surely be broken over the loss of Roger and the pain you are all enduring today because of it. You ALL are very dear to ALL of us, for so many different reasons and for the different ways our lives have crossed paths over the years since we were all kids. Our hearts break with you and for you as you take the hardest journey life has for us to bear over these next few days, weeks, and months. May the memories carry you forward as they have for us in so many ways!! Let the tears flow...it's really okay...as it allows the love to continue to grow & grow and not feel so alone when you speak his name. Even in sadness, you must feel pride in the legacy left by someone so special. That spirit will continue to shine, lighting the way for others, leaving all of us an example to follow and a remarkable life to remember with grateful hearts. He was truly an incredible man, just like our very own Dad!! Roger will be missed by all and by oh so, so many!!! Just know you all are in our deepest thoughts and prayers.

With Love and Our Deepest Sympathy,
The Four Holley Girls and Their Families
Debi & Rick Sumner, Pat & Carmen Calabrese, Betty Lou & Andy van Tienhoven, Chris & Les Crawford

mike whitted

May 15, 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

pamela lupo

May 15, 2012

I was proud to be able to call you my GRANDPA,and for that I will always be thankful. You and your family took us in as your own,and I will never forget the family pic-nics in T-burg,they were always the best of times. All Hailey ever talked about is how Grandpa taught her how to make hamburger patties,and we all couldn't wait to see you again,now we will have to wait for that oppurtinity. We will always love you and cherish the memories that we have of you! My condolenscences to all of the family,prayers are with you all. ~Love Pam,Joey,Hailey,and L.J.(The Lupo Family)

Anita and Larry Clapp

May 15, 2012

To the Entire Whitaker Family:
We were saddened to read of Roger's passing. We first met Roger in 1971 when we asked him to do the cake for our wedding. It turned out beautiful. Being teachers, we had the opportunity and pleasure to have the Whitaker kids and grandkids in our classes. Roger leaves behind a great legacy. May the memories you have of him help you through the difficult times ahead. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers.

Jim Woodside

May 15, 2012

Working for and with Roger in Statler's kitchen is one of my favorite memories of the hotel school. He was as much a member of the faculty as the professors and he taught us more about customer satisfaction than anyone. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and all his former students who will miss him.

barb lampman

May 15, 2012

Mary,I am so sorry for your loss
Barbara Lampnan

Rebecca Johnson

May 15, 2012

Roger was a big part of the Statler family and worked with my dad, Ed Rhea Johnson until dad's passing in 1978. My heart felt prayers goes out to Roger's family and loved ones.

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results