Saratoga Springs, NY - James Dennis Whitford, of Nelson Avenue, known by many as Jimmy or Whit, passed away Friday (Oct. 23, 2009) at Saratoga Hospital after a sudden illness. Born on Nov. 24, 1949 in Saratoga Springs, he was a lifelong resident, attended St. Peters Academy and graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in the class of 1967. While at St Pete's, he played both linebacker on defense and center on offense and was named in the Hall of Fame for their 1966 Championship Year. Jimmy attended the University of Kentucky and earned a Bachelors Degree in English in 1971. He spent his twenties working at various thoroughbred racing tracks. He was a Racing Steward at Stretch Camera for eight years at Churchill Downs, as hot walker in Arkansas and also spent time working at Fairgrounds, LA and Laurel Park, MD. Many will also remember that he wrote a column in the Saratogian newspapers Pink Sheet, known as Whit's Picks. In his thirties, he worked for a numerous unions as Head Lighting Technician for Ronnie Bates, Stage Director for the NYC Ballet, and he worked lighting and stage crews for Local One at Madison Square Garden, Beacon Theater and other New York venues. locally at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. He participated in the making of several movies, including Billy Bathgate and Scent of a Woman, as well as the Pope's visit to New York, Paul Simons concert in Central Park, and locally for many years witht he Saratoga Performing Arts Center. His appreciation of music was wide and varied, from rock to reggae, opera to jazz and blues. He loved to travel, frequently to New Orleans and Montreal and traveled extensively to Europe and Central and South America, visiting 87 different race tracks around the world. His stories were endless. He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Marie J. (Deady) Whitford and survivors include his brother, Robert Whitford of Brooklyn NY; his son, Harry Bryer of Colchester, England; one aunt, Jo Whitford of Saratoga Springs and several cousins, including Lee Cromie of Ballston Spa, Ray Whitford of FL and Wendy Whitford McLaughlin of CA. In celebration of Whits life, all are invited to a gathering of relatives and friends at 2pm Sunday (Nov. 1, 2009) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (584-5373). There are no calling hours and committal will be private. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made in his name to the Disabled Jockeys Fund, PO Box 803, Elmhurst, IL 60126.