Obituary for John A. White Sr.
John Arthur White Sr.
John Arthur White Sr., loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died peacefully at home on July, 11th, 2020.
John was born on September 3rd, 1925 in his family’s home at 281 Bonner Place in the Bronx and was welcomed by his parents Ida and Charles White. Shortly thereafter the family, which also included older brother Charlie, moved north to Country Club Road in the Bronx where John enjoyed what he described “the greatest childhood any kid could ever have”. John recalled playing ball in Pelham Bay Park, swimming in Eastchester Bay or romping around the empty fields of Country Club. When he wasn’t running around and playing, John attended Our Lady Of Assumption Elementary School and Mount Saint Michael High School in the Bronx.
In 1942, at the age of 17, John joined the Navy to defend our country in World War II. He saw action in the Pacific Theater. Following the War, John found work in construction with the Metallic Lathers Local 46. His trade was with steel beams and iron reinforcing bars. John aspired to thrive in this field of construction and attended school at night for three years at the “Mechanics Institute” where he became an excellent reader of blueprints and building design. This talent propelled him to the rank of Foreman, a position he held for over 30 years as he helped guide the rise of structures such as Shea Stadium, the Indian Point Power Plant, the Libiyan Mission, the Corinthian and countless other city landmarks.
In his free time John was a member of the Westchester Country Club in the Bronx located on Country Club Road. This iconic beach club became his second home for years to come. It is also where, in 1946, he met his future wife, Carol Farrell. They were married at Our Lady of Assumption Church in 1950 and had their wedding reception at “The Club”
After living in a one bedroom apartment at 2888 Roberts Avenue for twelve years with three children, Carol and John went shopping for a house “in the country” and settled on a home in Crestwood (Yonkers) in 1963. John put down a $100 deposit for the home that they still live in today.
Crestwood was the “Ozzie and Harriet” neighborhood that Carol and John had envisioned. It was quiet, safe, and had the strong presence of a Catholic school and church in Annunciation that they desired for their growing family. John’s spirituality was always present dating back to his days as a boy attending Monday Novena at Our Lady of Assumption Church. Years later, while working at different construction sites he would seek out the local church and attend noon mass. Finally, after retiring he was a daily worshiper at the 8:00 o’clock weekday mass at Annunciation.
John had many interests which included nurturing his famous tomato plants, perfecting his culinary skills, and in retirement, playing golf daily at Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx. Growing up, he was a Brooklyn Dodger fan and then became a New York Mets fan when the Dodgers abandoned the city. Years later he would be found watching the Yankees nightly. He believed that “we” should root for ALL New York teams! This commitment was put to the test when he burdened his children with the heavy responsibility of being a New York Jets fan after he was in attendance at the Orange Bowl on January 12th, 1969 when Joe Willie and the Jets stunned the Colts in the Super Bowl. His children have been in pain ever since.
John’s work was spread around in many different avenues. He was a part owner of “The Crosby Inn” bar on Crosby Ave in the Bronx with his good friends Barney Sullivan and Tommy Conway. John’s volunteerism was always apparent as he served as President of the Westchester Country Club (Bronx), he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Charles Bajart American Legion Post, and an usher at Sunday’s 9:00 a.m. Mass for over 15 years at Annunciation Church…, always wearing a suit and tie!
John is predeceased by his mother Ida, father Charles, and brother Charlie…, heck, most everyone John knew has predeceased him!
John had four children, eleven grandchildren, and a great grandchild with two more great grandchildren on the way. His children include his son John White Jr. and his wife Ruth, his daughter Jody Sullivan and her husband Michael, his son Chris White and his wife Yvette, and his daughter Jackie McGee and her husband Larry.
John’s legacy will be carried on by his loving grandchildren and partners (in age order), John III and his wife Kaleigh and great granddaughter Mairead. Also, granddaughter Katie Intervallo and her husband Anthony, granddaughter Eimile Sullivan and her fiance Michael Seamen, granddaughter Alexa White and her fiance Brian Murphy, grandsons Liam Sullivan, Brian White, Eamon Sullivan, Max McGee, Owen McGee, Charlie White, and granddaughter Madeleine McGee!
John was a very lucky man who was surrounded by family and friends. Right now he is probably “upstairs” talking shop with Dave Richardson, sharing a laugh with Tom Healy, or having a friendly argument with Richie Conway about how Duke Snider was a better center fielder than Willie Mays.
John was also a proud New Yorker. Although he lived in Crestwood, the Bronx and New York City were where his heart longed. John was an even prouder American. He revered the American flag. He took pride in his 20 foot flag pole on his front lawn that displayed his appreciation for being an American. General George Patton said it best about John and the men of his “generation”, Patton said, “it is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived” Thank you John for a wonderful life!
John Arthur White Sr., loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, died peacefully at home on July, 11th, 2020.
John was born on September 3rd, 1925 in his family’s home at 281 Bonner Place in the Bronx and was welcomed by his parents Ida and Charles White. Shortly thereafter the family, which also included older brother Charlie, moved north to Country Club Road in the Bronx where John enjoyed what he described “the greatest childhood any kid could ever have”. John recalled playing ball in Pelham Bay Park, swimming in Eastchester Bay or romping around the empty fields of Country Club. When he wasn’t running around and playing, John attended Our Lady Of Assumption Elementary School and Mount Saint Michael High School in the Bronx.
In 1942, at the age of 17, John joined the Navy to defend our country in World War II. He saw action in the Pacific Theater. Following the War, John found work in construction with the Metallic Lathers Local 46. His trade was with steel beams and iron reinforcing bars. John aspired to thrive in this field of construction and attended school at night for three years at the “Mechanics Institute” where he became an excellent reader of blueprints and building design. This talent propelled him to the rank of Foreman, a position he held for over 30 years as he helped guide the rise of structures such as Shea Stadium, the Indian Point Power Plant, the Libiyan Mission, the Corinthian and countless other city landmarks.
In his free time John was a member of the Westchester Country Club in the Bronx located on Country Club Road. This iconic beach club became his second home for years to come. It is also where, in 1946, he met his future wife, Carol Farrell. They were married at Our Lady of Assumption Church in 1950 and had their wedding reception at “The Club”
After living in a one bedroom apartment at 2888 Roberts Avenue for twelve years with three children, Carol and John went shopping for a house “in the country” and settled on a home in Crestwood (Yonkers) in 1963. John put down a $100 deposit for the home that they still live in today.
Crestwood was the “Ozzie and Harriet” neighborhood that Carol and John had envisioned. It was quiet, safe, and had the strong presence of a Catholic school and church in Annunciation that they desired for their growing family. John’s spirituality was always present dating back to his days as a boy attending Monday Novena at Our Lady of Assumption Church. Years later, while working at different construction sites he would seek out the local church and attend noon mass. Finally, after retiring he was a daily worshiper at the 8:00 o’clock weekday mass at Annunciation.
John had many interests which included nurturing his famous tomato plants, perfecting his culinary skills, and in retirement, playing golf daily at Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx. Growing up, he was a Brooklyn Dodger fan and then became a New York Mets fan when the Dodgers abandoned the city. Years later he would be found watching the Yankees nightly. He believed that “we” should root for ALL New York teams! This commitment was put to the test when he burdened his children with the heavy responsibility of being a New York Jets fan after he was in attendance at the Orange Bowl on January 12th, 1969 when Joe Willie and the Jets stunned the Colts in the Super Bowl. His children have been in pain ever since.
John’s work was spread around in many different avenues. He was a part owner of “The Crosby Inn” bar on Crosby Ave in the Bronx with his good friends Barney Sullivan and Tommy Conway. John’s volunteerism was always apparent as he served as President of the Westchester Country Club (Bronx), he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Charles Bajart American Legion Post, and an usher at Sunday’s 9:00 a.m. Mass for over 15 years at Annunciation Church…, always wearing a suit and tie!
John is predeceased by his mother Ida, father Charles, and brother Charlie…, heck, most everyone John knew has predeceased him!
John had four children, eleven grandchildren, and a great grandchild with two more great grandchildren on the way. His children include his son John White Jr. and his wife Ruth, his daughter Jody Sullivan and her husband Michael, his son Chris White and his wife Yvette, and his daughter Jackie McGee and her husband Larry.
John’s legacy will be carried on by his loving grandchildren and partners (in age order), John III and his wife Kaleigh and great granddaughter Mairead. Also, granddaughter Katie Intervallo and her husband Anthony, granddaughter Eimile Sullivan and her fiance Michael Seamen, granddaughter Alexa White and her fiance Brian Murphy, grandsons Liam Sullivan, Brian White, Eamon Sullivan, Max McGee, Owen McGee, Charlie White, and granddaughter Madeleine McGee!
John was a very lucky man who was surrounded by family and friends. Right now he is probably “upstairs” talking shop with Dave Richardson, sharing a laugh with Tom Healy, or having a friendly argument with Richie Conway about how Duke Snider was a better center fielder than Willie Mays.
John was also a proud New Yorker. Although he lived in Crestwood, the Bronx and New York City were where his heart longed. John was an even prouder American. He revered the American flag. He took pride in his 20 foot flag pole on his front lawn that displayed his appreciation for being an American. General George Patton said it best about John and the men of his “generation”, Patton said, “it is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived” Thank you John for a wonderful life!