1928
John
2014
John H. White
October 16, 1928 — January 18, 2014
WINCHENDON - John H. White, 85, of 573 Central St., Winchendon, died Saturday, January 18, 2014, in UMass Memorial Hospital of acute pneumonia complicated by chronic leukemia.
Mr. White was born in Winchendon on October 16, 1928, the only child of the late Alphonzo White and Bernice M. (Hayward) White. In 1950 he married Mary W. McKinstry, his college sweetheart; and together they enjoyed 52 years of marriage. She died on January 14, 2003.
Mr. White is survived by his four beloved children, five grandchildren and their spouses: Julia White and Gregory L. Cardinal of Winchendon; Willard M. White of Westminster; Martha Winifred and F. Scott Morgan of Huntington Valley, PA; Rosemary E. White of Haddonfield, NJ; and grandchildren: Jason A. White of Westminster; Jessica A. and David Bergeron of Baldwinville; J. Spencer and Meredith Morgan of Wokingham, Berkshire, UK; Julia Morgan of Audubon, NJ; and Quincy S.M. Morgan of State College, PA.
A life-long resident of Winchendon, John graduated from Murdock High School in 1945 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry at Massachusetts State College (now UMASS) Class of 1949, where he also learned to appreciate classical musical, which he enjoyed throughout his life. After graduation, he joined his father and uncle, Clarence Hayward, in operating Whiteward Farm, where he began honing his problem solving and “fix-it” skills. In 1957, he began working at Heywood Wakefield where he was employed into the 1960s, when he opened White Electronic Service (having learned television and radio repair via correspondence courses.) As a Licensed Electronic Technician, he subsequently owned and operated the Radio Shack franchise in downtown Winchendon and provided the region with electronics and repairs for 41 years. His formal retirement from this work came abruptly in 2003 when a lightning strike took the old barn and the scaled-back service center John had set up at his home. As part of his commitment to the profession, he continued active membership in the Mass. Electronic Technicians’ Guild (serving as treasurer for over 20 years and current newsletter editor) and of the National Electronic Service Dealers Association where he would weekly review their blog and occasionally reply with repair or business solutions.
John White was a fourth generation Unitarian and served the Unitarian Universalist Church as treasurer since 1952. Sometimes dubbed “Mister Unitarian,” John could claim serving the church in nearly every capacity, except singing in the choir. From steeple to pulpit to kitchen to boiler room, John had hands-on involvement in every aspect of the church’s life, be it repairing plumbing or the pipe organ, installing and operating the PA system, washing dishes or writing grant proposals. He was especially proud of the church’s involvement with community service programs, such as Our Neighbor’s Kitchen. He will be sorely missed for his extraordinary dedication and remarkable memory.
In the mid-1970s, Mr. White began serving his community when he became a member of the Finance Committee. He was subsequently elected to the School Committee and was very active in the Memorial School Building Committee. Over the years, he served on Winchendon’s Charter Commission, the Board of Selectmen, the Personnel Board, the Planning Board, the By-law Review Committee, and the Capital Planning Committee. Known for his diligence, amazing recall, and analytical bent, John was frequently elected to serve as committee chairman and drafted many documents that have become official Winchendon policies and decisions. For a number of years, he served as Winchendon’s representative to the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission. John was also a member of the Democratic Town Committee, the Winchendon Historical Society, and the Friends of the Library.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 25th at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 126 Central Street, Winchendon. A reception will follow the service downstairs in the Parish Hall. There are no calling hours. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon, P.O. Box 218, Winchendon, MA 01475.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, is directing arrangements. To share a memory with the family, please go to www.stone-ladeau.com.
Mr. White was born in Winchendon on October 16, 1928, the only child of the late Alphonzo White and Bernice M. (Hayward) White. In 1950 he married Mary W. McKinstry, his college sweetheart; and together they enjoyed 52 years of marriage. She died on January 14, 2003.
Mr. White is survived by his four beloved children, five grandchildren and their spouses: Julia White and Gregory L. Cardinal of Winchendon; Willard M. White of Westminster; Martha Winifred and F. Scott Morgan of Huntington Valley, PA; Rosemary E. White of Haddonfield, NJ; and grandchildren: Jason A. White of Westminster; Jessica A. and David Bergeron of Baldwinville; J. Spencer and Meredith Morgan of Wokingham, Berkshire, UK; Julia Morgan of Audubon, NJ; and Quincy S.M. Morgan of State College, PA.
A life-long resident of Winchendon, John graduated from Murdock High School in 1945 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry at Massachusetts State College (now UMASS) Class of 1949, where he also learned to appreciate classical musical, which he enjoyed throughout his life. After graduation, he joined his father and uncle, Clarence Hayward, in operating Whiteward Farm, where he began honing his problem solving and “fix-it” skills. In 1957, he began working at Heywood Wakefield where he was employed into the 1960s, when he opened White Electronic Service (having learned television and radio repair via correspondence courses.) As a Licensed Electronic Technician, he subsequently owned and operated the Radio Shack franchise in downtown Winchendon and provided the region with electronics and repairs for 41 years. His formal retirement from this work came abruptly in 2003 when a lightning strike took the old barn and the scaled-back service center John had set up at his home. As part of his commitment to the profession, he continued active membership in the Mass. Electronic Technicians’ Guild (serving as treasurer for over 20 years and current newsletter editor) and of the National Electronic Service Dealers Association where he would weekly review their blog and occasionally reply with repair or business solutions.
John White was a fourth generation Unitarian and served the Unitarian Universalist Church as treasurer since 1952. Sometimes dubbed “Mister Unitarian,” John could claim serving the church in nearly every capacity, except singing in the choir. From steeple to pulpit to kitchen to boiler room, John had hands-on involvement in every aspect of the church’s life, be it repairing plumbing or the pipe organ, installing and operating the PA system, washing dishes or writing grant proposals. He was especially proud of the church’s involvement with community service programs, such as Our Neighbor’s Kitchen. He will be sorely missed for his extraordinary dedication and remarkable memory.
In the mid-1970s, Mr. White began serving his community when he became a member of the Finance Committee. He was subsequently elected to the School Committee and was very active in the Memorial School Building Committee. Over the years, he served on Winchendon’s Charter Commission, the Board of Selectmen, the Personnel Board, the Planning Board, the By-law Review Committee, and the Capital Planning Committee. Known for his diligence, amazing recall, and analytical bent, John was frequently elected to serve as committee chairman and drafted many documents that have become official Winchendon policies and decisions. For a number of years, he served as Winchendon’s representative to the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission. John was also a member of the Democratic Town Committee, the Winchendon Historical Society, and the Friends of the Library.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 25th at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 126 Central Street, Winchendon. A reception will follow the service downstairs in the Parish Hall. There are no calling hours. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon, P.O. Box 218, Winchendon, MA 01475.
Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, is directing arrangements. To share a memory with the family, please go to www.stone-ladeau.com.
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