: Allan H. "Whitey" Persson, 85, of 188 North St. in Dalton died Friday at Berkshire Medical Center. Born on April 13, 1923 on the family farm in Okome, Sweden, he was the son of the late Otto and Agnes Pettersson Persson. At the age of two his mom passed away from tuberculosis, and his dad emigrated to Canada to homestead land in Alberta. Whitey moved to Brooklyn, NY at the age of 4, and was raised by family members including his older siblings, brother John and sister Astrid, as well as his Aunt Ellen and Uncle Knute, however the family members that primarily raised him were his Aunt Elsa and Uncle John Cook who raised him in their home in New Ashford and later in Pittsfield. He was educated in Sweden and Williamstown, MA and graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1942 where he played football and track. There he met his future wife, the former IdaMay (one word) Ewing whom he married on June 3, 1944 at St. Joseph Church in Pittsfield. She died on May 6, 2005. He tried to enlist in every branch of the armed services, but was refused because of his immigrant status. The Army later drafted him, and he was assigned to the Medical Corp where he achieved the rank of second lieutenant, he was on the way to the invasion of mainland Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped. His service included being a member of the occupation of Japan and he was discharged from the Army in 1945. After returning from the war he resumed his job with the Pittsfield Milk Exchange, where he was a driver on the Dalton route. Having developed a liking for the town, he purchased a home on Jennings Ave. where he lived with his wife and Aunt Ellen and Uncle Knute. In 1950 he opened the Dalton General Store with his wife IdaMay, and Aunt Ellen and Uncle Knute. He operated the store with his family, primarily his daughter Nancy until 1999. Besides his family, one of Whitey's greatest loves was football. He founded the Dalton Junior Football program in the early 1950's, he considered his former players to be "his boys" and he spoke of them very often. He enjoyed attending Wahconah football games regularly, and saw his last game only two weeks ago. Whitey was a life member of the Dalton American Legion Post 155 and the Dalton VFW Post 9566. He was also a longtime Boston Red Sox fan. He leaves a son: Peter A. Persson and his wife Sue of Dalton and two daughters; Nancy E. Persson of Dalton and Jeanne E. Darby and her husband Bryan of Keene, Kentucky. He will be greatly missed by his eight grandchildren; Nicholas and Evan Persson, Lyman, Lucas, Elsa, Eli, and Ethan Darby and Diane Persson and by his two great grandchildren; Matthew and Sara Darby. He also leaves numerous foster grandchildren including Morgan Mathews (ok) and Ben Passett as well as his cousins, Marianna Herrin and Donna Solomons who were like sisters to him.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Allan "Whitey" Persson who died October 24, 2008 will be held Tuesday at 10:00 AM at St. Agnes Church in Dalton celebrated by the Rev. Christopher Malatesta, pastor. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Whitey may be made to Dalton Youth Football, the Central Berkshire Football Booster Club or to the Dalton Ambulance Fund all in care of the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 890 Main St. Dalton, MA 01226 which is handling the arrangements.

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