07/29/2026
Sending our love and prayers to the Whitney family! ❤️
The Greenfield - MA Fire Department and the Greenfield community will honor Captain John D. Whitney with a formal uniformed funeral procession on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Captain Whitney passed away on July 22, 2026, from occupational brain cancer recognized as a Line-of-Duty Death.
The procession will begin at 1:30 PM at the Greenfield Fire Department, 41 Main Street, and will proceed along Main Street, concluding at Court Square, where funeral services will be held at Second Congregational Church.
Members of the public are encouraged to line Main Street along the procession route to honor Captain Whitney and show their support for the Whitney family and the firefighting community.
Numerous outside fire departments, law enforcement agencies, honor guards, and city officials are expected to line Court Square. The procession will feature a pipes-and-drums band, honor guards, and hundreds of uniformed firefighters marching together in tribute to Captain Whitney’s life, service, and sacrifice.
The following street closures will be in effect:
• Main Street will be closed to traffic from 1:30 PM to approximately 2 PM during the procession.
• Court Square will be closed to traffic from noon to 6 PM to accommodate funeral services and ceremonial activities.
Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes and allow additional travel time.
About Captain John D. Whitney
Captain John D. Whitney was appointed as a full-time firefighter with the Greenfield Fire Department on February 4, 2001, and was promoted to the permanent rank of Captain on September 1, 2011. After more than 30 years of dedicated service, he retired on May 23, 2026, due to occupational cancer.
Captain Whitney was widely respected as a leader, mentor, and friend. Throughout his career, he exemplified professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication to serving the City of Greenfield. His leadership and commitment left a lasting impact on the department and the many firefighters who had the privilege of serving beside him.
Captain Whitney is survived by his beloved wife, Emily, and their three sons, Jake, Sam, and Cooper. The Whitney family has demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience throughout Captain Whitney’s courageous battle with cancer, and has received an outpouring of support from the community.
