08/04/2026
On Sunday, we laid our brother, Captain John Whitney, to rest.
It was an emotional day filled with stories, memories, laughter, and tears as we reflected on the tremendous impact John had on all of our lives, our department, and the fire service. His dedication, leadership, and friendship touched countless people throughout his career, and his legacy will continue to live on within the Greenfield Fire Department and throughout the communities he so proudly served.
As the procession made its way down Main Street, the sound of the bagpipes echoed through downtown Greenfield, providing a solemn and fitting farewell to our brother. The outpouring of support from our community and the fire service was a powerful reminder of the respect and admiration John earned over a lifetime of service.
The Greenfield Fire Department extends its sincere gratitude to the agencies that assisted with Sunday's services: the Greenfield Police Department, Greenfield Department of Public Works, Greenfield Dispatch, Shelburne Control, Massachusetts State Police, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Department of Fire Services, the Salvation Army, South County EMS, and American Medical Response. Your professionalism and support allowed us to honor John with the dignity and respect he so greatly deserved.
We also offer our deepest appreciation to our brothers and sisters in the fire service from Amherst, Belchertown, Brattleboro, Easthampton, Gill, Huntington, Northampton, Northfield, South Hadley and Turners Falls. Your willingness to provide station coverage and ensure uninterrupted protection for our communities allowed our members to stand together, support the Whitney family, and honor our fallen brother. We extend a special thank you to the Brattleboro Fire Department for remaining overnight to assist our community.
Thank you to Lieutenant Koretski of the COMM Fire District, SPDIII Cameron Dunbar, Chief Phil Wonkka, and retired Chief Dennis Annear for your leadership, guidance, and unwavering support. Your assistance behind the scenes was instrumental in ensuring Captain Whitney received the dignified and honorable farewell he deserved.
To the City, State, and Federal officials and their staff, as well as fellow city employees, your presence and support means the world to us.
Finally, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the countless uniformed members from departments across Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and beyond who traveled to Greenfield to stand with us. Your presence in the procession and at Captain Whitney’s service was a powerful reminder of the strength, compassion, and unwavering bond of the fire service. Your support meant more to the Whitney family and the members of the Greenfield Fire Department than words can express.
Thank you to everyone who attended, assisted, and helped us give Captain John Whitney the honor and farewell he earned through a lifetime of service. His memory will continue to inspire us, and his legacy will never be forgotten.