Stephen Michael Whitney, age 58, departed from this life to his heavenly home to be with his Lord on Sunday, January 24, 2016. He is finally free from his long battle with cancer and will forever be remembered as a man who persevered through his sufferings. He wanted more than anything for his friends and family to know about how the love and peace that a relationship with his God could bring. He loved his family more than life and was a man who lived what he spoke. He will be forever missed. He was a true patriot and loved his country. During the many years of illness, he began woodworking to pass the time. He was a reader and always read his Bible, sometimes for hours at a time. There was nothing that he could not fix, and he was so smart about so many things in this life. More than anything, he kept his amazing humor even until the last day of his life.
He was a career firefighter and paramedic, beginning with Sebring Fire Department. He continued on with Kennedy Space Center and NASA for a total of 39 years of first responder and fire service. He always spoke of the people at his job as his other family. His humor and antics were a daily part of who he was, and that is what so many loved about him. He had many stories from the fire department, and we know that he will be truly missed there. He, along with his wife Traci, began Flamingo Graphics in 1994 until its closing in 2009.
He was a man of character and humor, and he will be truly missed by his family: his wife, Traci Soderberg Whitney, and his children: Lindsay Warren (Matthew), Wesley Ranew (Mary Beth), Whitney Webb (Joshua), Michael Whitney, Christopher Whitney, and Nathan Whitney. He is also survived by his brothers Terry and Tim Whitney, sister Pamela Flahive, and a host of friends whom he loved and adored.
We would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Palermo and the staff and nurses at the Cancer Care Center. You all made him feel so loved and cared for. He was so honored that you all would come to see him at home just before he passed.
There will be a visitation on Thursday evening, January 28, from 5-7 PM at Florida Memorial Gardens. His Celebration of Life service will be at The Church at Viera on Friday, January 29th at 11 AM. A graveside service will follow.
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