Whitaker, 62, suffered a heart attack during a family ski trip in Lincoln, N.H., according to company officials.

   He was president of Eaton Vance Distributors Inc., the company subsidiary that distributes Eaton Vance funds and other investment products, and vice president and chief sales and marketing officer of Eaton Vance Corp., according to Eaton Vance.

   "Whit had been with Eaton Vance for more than 20 years and built one of the best and most respected distribution companies in the fund industry," said James B. Hawkes, chairman and CEO of Eaton Vance Corp. "He will be greatly missed as a friend and business colleague."

   Whitaker led Eaton Vance to new records for its sales of mutual funds and closed-end funds, and had trained and supervised "one of the industry's strongest and most experienced team of sales professionals," the company said in a written statement.

   Before entering into a career in the financial services industry, Whitaker attended the U.S. Navy Officer's Candidate School in Newport, R.I., received his commission and served aboard the Navy destroyer U.S.S. Witek in Vietnam, according to The Providence Journal. He is survived by his wife Kathi and two daughters, Kelsey and Courtney.
   A memorial service is planned for tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell St., Providence, R.I., according to The Providence Journal. A reception will follow immediately after the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a scholarship fund in memory of Whitaker at Hamilton School at Wheeler, 216 Hope St., Providence, R.I. 02906.