Michael "Whitey" Robert Whitehead, Sr.

Michael “Whitey” Robert Whitehead, Sr.

CV Athletic Fixture -

Michael “Whitey” Robert Whitehead, Sr., 68, of Mechanicsburg passed away at home on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.  He was born in Coaldale, Pennsylvania, on December 24, 1944, and he loved returning to the Lansford area to visit his many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Jean Whitehead; his three children and their spouses, Michael and Jennifer Whitehead, Mary and Derrick Williamson, Richard and Tara Whitehead; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Nancy Whitehead; and sisters-in-law Marilyn Haberchak and Mary Anne Whitehead.  Michael also loved and is survived by his many grandchildren: Mia, Emma, and Beck Way; Taylor and Braden Whitehead; Gillian Whitehead; and Kaitlin, Emily, Daniel, and Dara Lou Williamson.  He was preceded in death by his mother and father, William and Irene Whitehead; his brother, William C. Whitehead, II; and his sister and brother-in-law, Edna and Ronald Hood.

Michael was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force , and he worked many years for the federal government and IBM .  Michael’s legacy was his love of baseball, the Phillies , spring training, the beach, fishing for trout on the Yellow Breeches, and Cumberland Valley Athletics .

Michael was active in Silver Spring Youth Baseball for over three decades.  He was also devoted as a coach and board member of Cumberland County Legion Baseball and Twilight Baseball .  He touched hundreds of young lives through his dedication to baseball, love of the game, and love of his players.  He especially enjoyed the Phillies and spring training in Florida.

Michael was a tireless, devoted supporter of CV Athletics for over four decades, attending countless events and providing game-day support for football and basketball among many other sports.  He loved nothing more than cheering on his children, grandchildren, and all of his “CV Kids” in every sport.  His status as a fixture at CV Athletic Events will be greatly missed.

All are welcome to join Michael’s family at his viewing on Friday, February 8, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 and at his funeral service on Saturday, February 9, 2013, beginning at 11:00, both at Myers–Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory , 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, with Pastor Dr. J. Gerald Greiner officiating.  A committal service will follow with military honors being presented by the Cumberland County Honor Guard .  Cremation will be private.

The family suggests memorial contributions to the Eagle Foundation, 6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, in memory of Michael R. Whitehead, Sr., for the support of CV Athletics.

Michael’s family has entrusted his care to Myers–Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Michael’s full obituary, share your memories and photos, offer your condolences and view his memorial video and portrait at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .

ALWAYS THERE

Eulogy by Derrick Price Williamson

I was asked to say a few words about Michael, and I will try -- it may be difficult for me -- but last night says more about the man than my few, paltry words ever could.  Over 400 people came to offer their respects on a sloppy winter night, ranging from people he met a few months ago to those he had known for 50 years, and all in between.

A couple of months ago, when Michael was diagnosed with cancer, Mary, my wife, cried, and she is not a crier, and she said, “what am I going to do; he was always there for me.”  That stuck with me.  And last night as Mary and I were greeting those many friends and ballplayers and family and CV kids, a couple of comments struck me.

One guy said that he was an umpire, and I asked in teasing, “And you came?” He laughed and said they always got along, even though we all know that Whitey raised hell with umpires and referees in all sports, even those sports for which he did not fully understand the rules.

Somebody else said Michael was a “classic,” and I thought that was right.

And a friend of mine remarked that Michael was “ everywhere ” and recounted how he found Michael at the Start/Finish of a cross country meet, but of course Michael had no kids or grandkids in that meet.  He was there for CV.

I have been thinking about that – he was everywhere , and, as Mary said, he was always there.

Michael was always there for Jeanne and to support Michael, Richard, and Mary. And Papop was there to proudly support all of his grandkids and their friends, and Whitey was always there for his ballplayers.  Of course, he was there to support CV baseball, football, field hockey, soccer, basketball, track & field, wrestling, and, apparently, cross country and everything else (and by the way, I can confirm that he never paid to get in – he was just a little bit bad, which made him fun).

And he was always there for the fun and to stir up a party or cause a little trouble, so he was there for deer camp and spring training and the Thursday night party at OBX.  And he was there in our kitchen, barging in just about every Sunday morning in the summer wanting to know what the plan was for swimming in the pool and cooking on the grill.

He was also there to help friends who were sick, his family, and migrant workers to whom he gave fresh vegetables, furniture, and appliances that he had managed to find. He helped me, too, when my Aunt, like a second mom to me, died, with the tough chore of cleaning out her house in North Carolina so that it could be sold; he was there for three days helping me (and he made me go to the local Applebee’s every night).

For me, I also see him there at the beach, in a chair, drinking Yeungling in a can, slathered with his homemade mineral oil and iodine sunscreen, holding court with anybody who would listen, and loving it.  I am sure you all have your own memories of him and when he was there for you, and I know you will cherish those, too.  And in thinking about those memories and Michael’s legacy for us, I believe it is this:

The next time someone needs you to be there for support or help or to be a friend, or they need you there to have some fun or cause a little trouble, think about Michael, Dad, Papop, Whitey and think about his spirit, a classic spirit, because it is everywhere , and it will always be there .