Sumner Gage Whittier
July 1, 1911 — January 8, 2010
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Sumner Gage Whittier
His devoted Mother, Eva St.Clair MacNeil Whittier, birthed him on July 1, 1911, one of the hottest days ever in Everett, Massachusetts.Weeks later she paraded him in an Everett baby contest.When he lost, she declared the affair fixed; thus began Whittier's passion for honesty in all affairs.
As a small child, Whittier was raised in Ipswich, MA near his grandfather's huge estate and farm, then returned to Everett, where he grew up at 88 Chestnut St. with his mother, father, Edgar, brother, Robert and sister, Mona Jeane.Whittier pursued his studies in the Everett public schools with a vengeance.He graduated from Everett High School where he was involved in myriad activities, including the debate team and as class officer.He inspired others and perhaps himself with his winning American Legion Prizeessay, "How I can Best serve my State and City."He followed in his life what he wrote.
On his large Everett paper route he made fast friends, which became his political base for his elections to Everett City Councilor and Alderman.He was immersed in his church, wherever he lived, and, when young, taught Sunday school at the Everett Glendale Methodist Church where he wrote and coached 4 three-act plays for the class to raise money for the church.Six in this class became ministers.Whittier later was active at the Everett Congregational Church (now First United Parish), Westmoreland Congregational Church in Washington DC and Grosse Pointe Congregational Church in Michigan.He taught his youth groups to live by the golden rule and that Massachusetts was the birthplace of most great persons and ideas.
Off to Boston University in the depression, taking the subway from home, he matriculated in 1935 from the School of Liberal Arts in English, history and journalism.Much later, Boston University bestowed on Whittier a Doctor of Civil Laws degree.He worked for the Eagle Times Gazette in Lawrence and had a number of radio programs and later worked for his father in his pneumatic tube business.
Whittier had a long and distinguished career as a statesman and public servant.Everett sent him to the MA House of Representatives for a term.He then ran successfully for the State Senate, representing Melrose, Malden and Everett from 1942 - 1952..He knew personally almost every person from his district.
But there came shortly after his election World War II.Whittier entered the U.S. Navy as a Lt. JG, later became a full lieutenant.On Christmas night in 1943, in the church where he will be memorialized, Whittier, in his Navy uniform married the love of his life, Jessie Johnston.They were an incredible team for 38 years until 1981 when she was lost to a bitter battle with cancer.His was a lifelong devotion to "his" Jessie.He published a book of poems to her, Sonnets to a Saint, when he was 95, yet available at Amazon.com.
In his War absence, his Jessie ran his Senate reelection campaign, and won it for him bymore votes than he ever had received.Upon returning to the Senate, he was a flashy orator, fighting for and winning equal pay for female and male teachers, for the establishment of the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination (MCAD), so that no person should be discriminated against, no matter the race, religion or country of origin, and, above all, for honest government.Whittier filed the bill to create Student Government Day and soon thereafter welcomed a young Brookline student, Michael Dukakis, and Everett High School's, George Keverian.
Competent, Honest, Fair government for All citizens was his lifelong passion.Campaigning for these and for election was his forte.He was known as the three-decker candidate, the swamp-Yankee.He practiced speeches in the mirror at 5 A.M. while shaving with his young daughter gazing on, then sped from event to event, mesmerizing his audiences with his fiery oratory, and coming home to Everett about 1 A.M.Handsome, charismatic and exceedingly warm, he was famous for meeting 75 folks as he entered a room and for calling each by name as he left.
He and his wife welcomed their three daughters, Jaye and the twins, Jan and Jill and created the slogan "T'win with Whittier."His girls, the pride of his life, were raised at 103 Linden St., Everett in the Everett Congregational Church and Everett Public Schools with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins near.
His BU journalism background benefited Whittier; he knew how to attract press.He touted Sonny McDonough, Chair of the Governor's Council, as the Maharajah of the Macadam for personally profiting from state construction. When a new overpass to Everett collapsed, he instantly called the media to the site and blasted Governor Dever.
At the 1952 Worcester Republican State Convention, the delegates screamed for Whittier to be its gubernatorial candidate, but young Whittier decided (much to his later regret) to stand out and allow the convention to nominate Christian Herter.Whittier was then nominated for, elected to and served two terms from 1952 - 1956 as Lieutenant Governor under Governor Herter, where Whittier fought for Civil Service reform and aided untold immigrants in bringing family members to American soil.
Whittier never took anything as a gift for helping others.His daughter recalls two men arriving at his Everett home with a beautiful leather suitcase in thanks for what Whittier had done for them.Whittier told them he was happy to have done it, but could take nothing for it.The men said, "It has your initials - you must have it."Whittier replied, "You gentlemen have two choices: find another with the initials of SGW or get the engraver to re-do it."
His party did nominate him in 1956 for Governor, and though he had Elliot Richardson and Brad Morse dedicated to his win, he lost.It has been said that Whittier's loss was because he was too honest.
President Eisenhower appointed Whittier to head the VA insurance program, then promoted him twice that year, in December 1957 making him Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, with 200,000 employees, the nation's largest hospital system and the largest budget of any Federal department except Defense.Whittier installed the first computers at VA in the 1950's. Whittier convinced Congress to enact pension reform, which saved billions. At the VA Whittier immortalized the words of Lincoln "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan" by mounting these words on the outside of the VA central office.Whittier wanted these words to guide the VA's dealings with veterans, especially the disabled.This quote has recently been adopted by the VA as its mission for the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.In 2009 the VA honored Whittier for this.The Chairman of the VA Budget Congressional Committee called Whittier the "ablest administrator ever."Whittier won the praise of every Washington columnist, even Jack Anderson.
On Whittier were bestowed many awards for his VA service, one of which he was particularly proud was for his service to the disabled.The AARP founder awarded him one for service to the elderly.Whittier served for many years on Rehabilitation International, and while at a meeting abroad, the organization adopted the now familiar handicap symbol as a uniform international symbol.
After John F. Kennedy was elected, President Eisenhower requested all cabinet members to resign, and despite Kennedy's interest in retaining Whittier, he did.From his VA office Whittier and his family watched President and Mrs. Kennedy arrive at the White House in a horse driven wagon, after which the Whittiers departed the VA and Washington.
Whittier went on to head Michigan Blue Shield, in 1961, where he labored tirelessly with the Michigan legislature.He headed the national office of Easter Seals for Crippled Children and Adults.An interesting part of that was bringing celebrities to the White House at the opening of each annual drive.He took Bob Hope, Louise Ball, Jimmy Durante and Carole Burnet to meet Presidents Johnson and Nixon and Ford.
Subsequently, Whittier returned to Washington and Baltimore.At the Social Security Administration he organized and implemented the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program.He remained at Social Security until he was 80 years old, living in Baltimore with his daughter, Janis and beloved Kerry Blue Terriers.
Whittier met every U.S President in his lifetime, save President Obama, visited every US state and every continent on the planet, including Antarctica.He once rented cars in South Africa and Kenya and directed the drivers to turn left or right as his interest propelled him.He was a cartoonist, could write a sonnet in five minutes and often did.
He wrote another poetry book, Forgotten Threads.He corresponded in his long life with many, many folks, most of whom he helped on a family matter, job or some such.
Whittier's interest in learning was voracious.He knew virtually every word in the English language and read the encyclopedia for his leisure. He became an avid photographer, of instant, still photos and movies.
Whittier was a moderate Republican and all his life strenuously supported candidates of this ilk.For decades he belonged to Republican organizations, the Inner Circle, the President's Club, etc.The Republican members of the US Senate bestowed on him a Freedom medal.
He was intensely proud of his children and would take any opportunity to brag about Jan, a registered nurse at the preeminent Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she is renowned for lovingly caring for the sickest of oncology patients, about Twin, Jill, and her illustrious academic achievements, doctorate in clinical psychology and her church and garden work, Jaye, a lawyer, former assistant US Attorney, administrative law judge and Republican activist, and her spouse, Alexander H. Sands, III, MA Land Court Judge and play director.Whittier's fierce pride included his five grandchildren, Alex and his wife Lidiane Sands, Ashley Sands, Jennifer, Heather and Elizabeth Mackenzie.He taught them all that to serve others is noble and honorable, that government is service to people, and that though sometimes much of government is rife with corruption, it is possible to be an honest politician, as he was.He seemed thrilled to meet his only great-grandchild, Alexander Sands V last June.
As every four years came, were it a Republican luck of the draw, he paraded through the Halls of Congress to obtain Presidential Inaugural tickets for all his children and grandchildren, after which he proudly introduced his family to the heart of American (if Republican) government.He gathered them at most Republican National Conventions, where he was a sometime delegate.At the 2004 National Republican Convention in New York, when throngs were at the elevator, he exclaimed, "Lets walk!!"He hurried up ten flights at Madison Square garden, with his daughter, Jaye, huffing and trying to keep up.
Whittier adored his mother's, and later his, cottage by the sea in Scarborough Maine, where he rowed, swam and picked blueberries by the hour.
His 90th birthday was celebrated at a filled Everett Armory where testimonials were legion and he held court.He took exceedingly great pride when the City of Everett named a school for him.Often he met with the students and would lead them in the Everett Homecoming Parade as he waved from a convertible and they marched proudly behind.
At 92 Whittier won a gold medal for ping pong both from Maryland and at the National Senior Olympics.He was honored to be chosen to and did carry the Maryland flag at the National Senior Olympics Ceremony.
Until three years ago, he took assiduous care of his gardens at his MD home, mowed its steep hill and broke large branches felled by the wind.He would walk a mile to the Ellicott City Senior Center to play pong.After a stroke at 95, at his Everett High School Reunion while he was giving a press interview to a reporter from the paper that has all his life given him tons of publicity, the Everett Leader Gazette, dementia set in and worsened.The Lord blessed him with the most loving of caretakers, Tracy Barnes Malone, who has been with him daily in these last years.She cared for him lovingly, took him on walks, and brought him to the lively activities at his home away from home. Copper Ridge in MD.
Whittier leaves his children, Jaye Whittier and son-in-law, Alexander H. Sands III, of Gloucester MA, Janis Whittier of Ellicott City, MD and Jill Kelly of Vancouver WA, formerly of Shutesbury, MA and Bloomfield Hills MI., and his sister, Mona Jeane Somerville, of Everett.He leaves grandchildren Alex Sands IV and his wife, Lidiane Sands, and Ashley Sands, all of Gloucester MA, Jennifer Mackenzie, in Damascus, Syria, Heather Mackenzie of Portland Or. and Elizabeth Mackenzie of New York NJ. and a great-grandchild,Alexander Sands V of Gloucester.He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Margaret Whittier of Melrose MA and Virginia Johnston of Reading MA and many loving nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his parents, Eva and Edgar Whittier, his brother, Robert Whittier and his brothers-in-law, William Somerville, Arthur Johnston, Ronald Johnston and his wife, Alice. Whittier leaves his adoring dog, Mac.
Memorial Service will be at the First United Parish, 460 Broadway, Everett on Saturday, January 16 at 11 A.M.Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.Visitinghours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main Street., Melrose, Friday, January 15,2-4
and 7-9.Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the First United Parish, 460 Broadway, and Everett, MA 02149.For online tribute, directions, please visit www.robinsonfuneralhome.com.
A memorial service will be held in Ellicott City Maryland at a later time to be announced.
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To view the Memorial Slideshow in honor of Sumner Whittier please click on the following link
http://videos.lifetributes.com/MediaViewer2.0/MovieViewer.aspx?id=113040
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To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sumner Gage Whittier, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, January 15, 2010
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Visitation
Friday, January 15, 2010
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Funeral Service
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Starts at 11:00 am
First United Parish
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