Ethan J. Whitton

   Ethan J. Whitton, 29, passed away unexpectedly at his home in the Town of Clayton Sunday, June 30, 2024. 

   Ethan, affectionately known as “Bug”, was born in Watertown, NY, August 27, 1994, son of David V. and Elizabeth C. (Brown) Whitton. He was a graduate of Thousand Islands High School and SUNY Cortland, receiving a BA in Physical Therapy. A prolific athlete and born leader, Ethan proudly served as Captain of the football, hockey, and baseball teams at Thousand Islands High School. He continued his passion for hockey, playing for the Cortland hockey team for two years and most recently with Clayton Old Timers Hockey. He always respected and admired his coaches, and the relationships he made with his teammates were lifelong.  

    Besides his deep love of hockey, Ethan also enjoyed boating on the St. Lawrence River, the outdoors, and especially spending time with his family and many friends. Ethan’s presence in a room was calm, uplifting and authentic.  

    After college, Ethan returned to Clayton. He worked for P. T. Sports and Howard Orthotics & Prosthetics, both in Watertown, and French Bay Marina in Clayton. Throughout the years, and most recently, he was a landscaper and beloved employee for Thousand Islands Property Service. In his off time, he served as a bartender for various establishments in Alexandria Bay and Clayton. For the last 5 years, he worked at the Charter Room event space at Woodboat Brewery. Ethan took great pride in any job he did. He was the first to show up, the last to leave and was always willing to go above and beyond to lend an extra hand. His work ethic and dependability were second to none. 

   Ethan was a member of the United Methodist Church of Clayton. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Colon-Couch Post 821 for 14 years.

    Ethan is survived by his father and stepmother, David V. and JoAnn Whitton, Clayton; paternal grandparents Darrel R. and Arlene M. Whitton, Cape Vincent; sister and her companion Megan L. Whitton and Dustin VanTassell, Evans Mills; niece Arlene E. VanTassell; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is predeceased by his mother,  Elizabeth C. (Brown) Whitton, who passed November 15, 2001.  

   Ethan will always be remembered for his kindness, pure heart, and unconditional love for everyone in his life. A celebration of Ethan's life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Cerow Recreation Park in Clayton at 1:00 pm. Arrangements are entrusted with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton, and online condolences to his family may be posted at  www.cummingsfuneral.com.  A memorial fund has been set up through Community Bank in Clayton. Donations can be made out to Megan Whitton, with Ethan Whitton Memorial Fund specified on the memo line. When mailing checks please send to the Clayton branch at 205 State Street Clayton NY,13624.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Clayton Youth Hockey, P. O. Box 278, Clayton, NY 13624.

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