Jonah Whiting

Jonah River Whiting, 16, of Saranac Lake, left his earthly body on July 13th,2023 at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Born in Denver, Colorado on November 17th,2006, Jonah was the beloved son of Heather A. Robinson and Michael C. Whiting. Jonah spent the first 9 months of his life in Evergreen, CO, from where he went on many fun westerly adventures with his parents. Despite the beauty of the West and their newly laid roots there, they felt a strong pull to head back East to surround Jonah with the vast extent of friends and family he had. So, in September of 2007, they relocated to Saranac Lake, where Jonah solidified his love of life and the outdoors.

Jonah always displayed the purest of hearts, along with a smart and inquisitive mind, and a vibrant soul. Always a lover of the outdoors, music, art, cars, movies, Stewart’s (pizza and ice cream), junk food, video games, the NY Rangers, everything Marvel/DC, UFC/MMA, his four-legged siblings, his parents, his boys, and their “discord” calls, his many close friends and family. Jonah’s greatest passion was to ski as he was introduced to skiing at age four. Jonah largely grew up skiing at Whiteface Mountain, but also loved hitting up Pisgah every opportunity he had. West Mountain and Bolton Valley were amongst his favorites to ski with his dad; they even got the opportunity to ski in Utah this past season and the western powder blew his mind. We were excited for more adventures, of the like.

Jonah’s flourishing young life came to an abrupt halt and although he may be gone from our sights, may his legacy never be forgotten. For the day Jonah passed, he also passed on the gift of life, as four people received his major organs and numerous others will benefit from his selfless donations.

Jonah is survived by his mother Heather Robinson of Saranac Lake, his father Michael C. Whiting (Sally Sutton) of Winooski, VT; Maternal Grandparents Rose (John) Linfoot of Geneseo, NY and John Robinson of Latham, NY; Paternal Grandparents Maureen Whiting of Queensbury, NY and Michael Whiting of Burlington, VT; Maternal Uncles Eric (Cindy) Robinson of Blue Ridge Summit, PA and Sean Robinson of Lake Placid, NY; Paternal Aunt Cari (Brenden) Shiel; Paternal Uncles Joe Whiting of Homer, AK and Kevin (Lynsey) Whiting Queensbury, NY; Maternal Cousins Cody, Kaleb, Isabel and our Emma; Paternal Cousins Noah, Isabella, Sunny and baby boy Whiting to be; his four-legged siblings Kennebec, Frankie, Mew Mew and Millie; his boys: Noah Tendler, Jaron Wilkins, Griffin Barney, Rhys Gadwaw, Donovan Narvaez, Ryan Bonnet, Ryan Gallagher, Luke Blaum, Yousef Jirari, Logan Hathaway, Kyle Preston; C’ettae Blackman and many others, too numerous to mention.

Jonah was predeceased by his dear friend Lucas (Loo) Tendler and Great Uncle Greg Camelo.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Fortune-Keough Funeral home in Saranac Lake from 4-6:30pm. Immediately following calling hours there will be a gathering at the Hotel Saranac, in the Ballroom, from 6:30-8:30pm for anyone that wishes to attend. A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, August 13th at 11am with more details to follow. Family and friends can share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the entire Saranac Lake/Lake Placid Communities, Saranac Lake Fire and Rescue, Adirondack Medical Center, and the Donate Life Team, for their unwavering support and the excellent care he received. Finally, a very special thank you, from the bottoms of our hearts, to the exceptional staff of the ICU at the UVM Medical Center for the compassionate and skilled care offered to Jonah in the final days of his life.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution to a GoFundMe that has been established to assist his family. https://www.gofundme.com/f/heather-robinson-through-some-tough-times