Obituary for John J. White Jr.
John J. White, Jr., 93, retired Captain of the MA State Police, passed away peacefully at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home on Friday, May 26, 2023. John was born on August 19, 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of the late Mary (Landry) and John J. White.
John graduated from The Bromfield School in Harvard, Massachusetts in 1948. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, in which he served as a senior electrical and mechanical specialist on bombers. After being honorably discharged in 1953 he was accepted into the Massachusetts State Police, where he proudly served for twenty-five years, until his retirement in 1979. During most of his years of service, John was stationed in western Massachusetts. After his promotion to Captain, he was transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Boston.
John was an avid reader who enjoyed various genres and very often would have three books on hand to read, each in different rooms where he could pick it up and start reading, even a few more pages. His favorite genre was any type of history. Whenever he was asked a question about any subject, he could expound with a very long answer that would always amaze the listener. John also loved outdoor walks, being in nature, and spotting any animals or birds along the way. The simple things in life were what he most enjoyed.
John was a member of the Auburn Sportsman’s Club for 40 years, during which he was a member of the Executive Board. In the early 1980’s, he and a small group of friends who were interested in birds, started putting up bird houses to help protect them. The Eastern Bluebird had become a threatened species, and John took a very special interest in bringing them back to the area. Eventually, a bluebird recovery program was started at the Auburn Sportsman’s Club. John installed and maintained scores of bird houses for the bluebirds and tree swallows, not only in Worcester County, but as far west as Berkshire and Hampden counties. With thanks to the now late Mark Blazis, John became a licensed bird bander and was instrumental in bringing the bluebird back throughout the state of Massachusetts and beyond. He continued to be fully involved in this program until his health began to fail three years ago.
Deanna would like to thank so many good friends, especially Jim and Denise Collins, Dennis and Kathy Knight, as well as caregivers, Donna Dube, Sue Bourque, Emma Kumordji and Jen Cruz, who brought so much joy into John’s daily life. Many thanks also to so many of his friends in the Bird Recovery Program who continually stayed in touch with him and kept him “in the loop” regarding any happenings in the bird recovery program.
John is survived by his wife, Deanna (Gregory)White, his daughters Beverly Boisselier (John) of Winimac, Indiana, Elizabeth White of Pittsfield and Madeline Johnson (Bruce) of Pittsfield. John also leaves seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, a brother, Joseph Harlin of New Hampshire and sister, Jean Demerritt. He was predeceased by his daughter Carolyn Kruger, brothers Paul, Ambrose, James, Charles, William and sister Marie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bird Recovery Program at the Auburn Sportsman’s Club, 50 Elm Street, Auburn, MA 01501.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with John’s family between 4 – 7 PM on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street, Auburn, MA. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn MA. A private burial will be held at a later date.
John graduated from The Bromfield School in Harvard, Massachusetts in 1948. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, in which he served as a senior electrical and mechanical specialist on bombers. After being honorably discharged in 1953 he was accepted into the Massachusetts State Police, where he proudly served for twenty-five years, until his retirement in 1979. During most of his years of service, John was stationed in western Massachusetts. After his promotion to Captain, he was transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Boston.
John was an avid reader who enjoyed various genres and very often would have three books on hand to read, each in different rooms where he could pick it up and start reading, even a few more pages. His favorite genre was any type of history. Whenever he was asked a question about any subject, he could expound with a very long answer that would always amaze the listener. John also loved outdoor walks, being in nature, and spotting any animals or birds along the way. The simple things in life were what he most enjoyed.
John was a member of the Auburn Sportsman’s Club for 40 years, during which he was a member of the Executive Board. In the early 1980’s, he and a small group of friends who were interested in birds, started putting up bird houses to help protect them. The Eastern Bluebird had become a threatened species, and John took a very special interest in bringing them back to the area. Eventually, a bluebird recovery program was started at the Auburn Sportsman’s Club. John installed and maintained scores of bird houses for the bluebirds and tree swallows, not only in Worcester County, but as far west as Berkshire and Hampden counties. With thanks to the now late Mark Blazis, John became a licensed bird bander and was instrumental in bringing the bluebird back throughout the state of Massachusetts and beyond. He continued to be fully involved in this program until his health began to fail three years ago.
Deanna would like to thank so many good friends, especially Jim and Denise Collins, Dennis and Kathy Knight, as well as caregivers, Donna Dube, Sue Bourque, Emma Kumordji and Jen Cruz, who brought so much joy into John’s daily life. Many thanks also to so many of his friends in the Bird Recovery Program who continually stayed in touch with him and kept him “in the loop” regarding any happenings in the bird recovery program.
John is survived by his wife, Deanna (Gregory)White, his daughters Beverly Boisselier (John) of Winimac, Indiana, Elizabeth White of Pittsfield and Madeline Johnson (Bruce) of Pittsfield. John also leaves seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, a brother, Joseph Harlin of New Hampshire and sister, Jean Demerritt. He was predeceased by his daughter Carolyn Kruger, brothers Paul, Ambrose, James, Charles, William and sister Marie.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bird Recovery Program at the Auburn Sportsman’s Club, 50 Elm Street, Auburn, MA 01501.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with John’s family between 4 – 7 PM on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street, Auburn, MA. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn MA. A private burial will be held at a later date.