Harold “Whitey” Whitehouse, Jr. age 95, beloved son of Portsmouth, NH, lifelong resident of the South End, US Navy Veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict, passed away peacefully in his home on January 4, 2024 following a period of declining health. He was the husband of the late Ruth (Kent) Whitehouse, who passed away in 2011.
Harold was born in Portsmouth on July 1, 1928, son of the late Harold & Grace (Berry) Whitehouse. He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School. He faked his age to get into the Navy to serve during WWII, having fought in two wars by the time he was 22, receiving an honorable discharge in 1952. He served on the USS Missouri, USS Macon, and the USS Kula Gulf.
Whitey worked at the Portsmouth Herald for 28 years as a pressman and linotype operator, until 1968 when an opportunity to work at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard came about. He worked as a carpenter there until his retirement in 1992.
As a prominent citizen of his beloved Portsmouth, Whitey was known as a treasure of the city, and role model and mentor for many. He served the city in many capacities for decades on various committees and was a leader of local government for over 30 years. He was a 16-year member of the School Board beginning in 1973. He also served on the city council from 1988-89, and 1998-2007. He was elected to the Police Commission from 1994-96. He has been on the Parking, Traffic, and Safety Committee since it was formed, serving until after his 95th birthday. He was also a long-time member and Trustee of the Association of Portsmouth Taxpayers. Whitey was very appreciative and humbled when the former Marcy St. Bridge in the South End was re-named in his honor in 2018 as the Harold “Whitey” Whitehouse Bridge.
Harold was also involved with various organizations in the area, St. John’s Masonic Lodge of Portsmouth, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Portsmouth & Dover; NH Consistory 32nd degree of Nashua; Bektash Temple Shrine of Concord; 45-year member and past-president of Patrol C; member, director and past-president of the Portsmouth Shrine Club; USS Missouri Association. Whitey was a Life Member of the VFW Emerson Hovey Post #168 of Portsmouth and lifetime member of the D.A.V. Chapter #4, Newington; and the Benevolent Protector of Elks BPOE Post #97, and the Rotary, where he once received the Rotary “Paul Harris Fellow” award; he was also a member of the former Central NH Model T Club, being the proud owner of a 1926.
Above all, Harold was a dedicated family man, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his son, Brian Whitehouse of Rye; his daughter, Karen McKearney, of Exeter; two granddaughters, Alyxandra Whitehouse of Hampton, and Kylie Whitehouse, of Rye; a sister, Audrey Foster of York, ME; sister-in-law, Rena Sandven; brother-in-law, Richard Kent, both of Portsmouth. He was brother of the late Gene Whitehouse, Barbara Matthews, and June Brower.
