CONNEAUT — George Matson Whitney, age 78, of Conneaut, Ohio, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at The Villa at the Lake.

Born Jan. 19, 1930, in Conneaut, he was the son of Wilbur C. and Harriett (Brydle) Whitney. George graduated from Conneaut High School in 1948, and went on to graduate from Amherst College in 1952, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

A Veteran of the United States Army Medical Corps, he served during the Korean Conflict, where he was stationed at the 121st Evacuation Hospital, outside Seoul, Korea, and was honorably discharged in August 1954.

George owned and operated Whitney's Men's Clothing Store in downtown Conneaut for 30 years. He graduated from the Ohio State University Executive Graduate Program, in Healthcare Financial Management, in 1984, and retired in 1995 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Brown Memorial Hospital. During his tenure at Brown Memorial and with the forward thinking of the Board of Trustees and the Medical Staff, many new health care procedures and programs were implemented by the Senior Managers, Managers and Employees. An outpatient Special Procedure Unit was opened bringing specialized Physicians to the hospital from Erie and the surrounding area, including outpatient surgery programs and other new services. These services included, opening a mammography program, purchasing and installing a C.T. Scanner, relocating the Obstetric Unit that featured family centered birthing, a major expansion of the Physical Therapy department, introduction of Laparoscopic surgery, purchased equipment for pulmonary function testing, development of an employer Occupational Health Program, installation of a new computer patient information, billing and financial reporting system, construction of two Medical office buildings with two Physician offices in each, and development of a joint Home Health Services program, with the other Ashtabula County hospitals.

He retired in 2006, as a Director of the Conneaut Savings Bank, after 36 years, serving the last 18 years as Chairperson of The Board of Directors.

George was a member of the Conneaut Area Chamber of Commerce, B.P.O. Elks, 50+ year member of the American Legion, First Congregational UCC, and the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts. He is a past member of numerous Ohio Retail Organizations, and State and National Healthcare Organizations.

George's past community activities include, Past President of the Conneaut Rotary Club, Conneaut Chamber of Commerce, Conneaut Jaycees, Conneaut Merchants Board, and Ashtabula Regional Home Health Services. He was also past Trustee of Brown Memorial Hospital and Great Lakes Health Network, Past Finance Officer of Cowle Post #151 American Legion, and Past Treasurer of the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts.

George is survived by his wife, Joan D. (Dickey) Whitney, whom he married March 17, 1979; his children, Martha (Scott) Fasick of Oxford, Ohio, Margaret (Tim) Carey of Geneseo, Ill., Sarah Whitney of Princeton, N.J., Barbara (Jay) McMellen of N. Kingsville, Ohio; step-children, Kiersten (Donald) Alexander of Chardon, Ohio, Will (Shara) Parkomaki of Jefferson, Ohio; grandchildren, Charles Carey, Joseph Carey, Jason Fasick, David Fasick, Christopher McMellen, Katelyn McMellen, Ian Parkomaki, Jenna Parkomaki, Lauren Alexander and Garret Alexander; a sister, Susan W. Hakkio of Venice, Fla.; two nieces; and two nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 19, at the RAISIAN FUNERAL HOME, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut, with the Rev. Dr. Rudolph Babcock, of the First Congregational UCC Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memory Gardens, N. Kingsville, Ohio, where the American Legion Honor Squad will conduct full military honors.

Calling hours are 1 to 3 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m., tomorrow, May 18, at the Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

View/sign guestbook at www.raisianfuneralhome.com.