Richard J. “Dick” White, 91, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at home. He was the beloved husband of the late May Ida (Hebert) White for 66 years.
He was a son of the late John J. and M. Theresa (Carey) White. Dick spent over 40 years in the insurance industry. In 1967, he returned to Rhode Island with the Home Insurance Co. of NY. He retired in 1980 as manager. He later joined the Woodmansee Insurance Agency of Wyoming, RI as manager. While a resident of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, he was a member of Holy Cross Church, served on the CCD Executive Board & Chairman of the Fisher Department, a past president of the Holy Cross Holy Name Society and was also a Lector. While in Maine, he was active in the Pine Tree Council Boy Scouts of America and holder of several scouting awards. Dick was also Chairman of the Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Maine, in the Portland-Augusta area. He received the St. George Award from Bishop Hickey for his work as chairman on the Catholic Scouting Committee. Dick returned to Rhode Island in April, 1967 and became an active member of St. Benedict Church. He is a past president of the Parish Council, also served as Chairman of the Finance Council for 27 years, having been appointed by Fr. James T. Trainor. He was Vice-Chairman of the Stewardship Committee, organized and chaired the Greeter Group. He served as a Lector. Dick was employed by the Quinn Funeral Home & Arrow Limousine of Warwick, RI during his retirement and was a volunteer reader at In-Sight. Dick and Ida took many trips in their camping trailer with close friends. Dick took up cycling at a late age and successfully completed a 100 mile bike ride at age 59. Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing cribbage with family and friends and was an avid Patriots fan.
He is survived by his son, Robert A. White and his wife, Mary Ellen, of West Hartford, Connecticut and his daughter, Diane I. Pelletier and her husband, Richard, of Warwick; grandchildren, Matthew R. Pelletier and his wife, Jill; Jonathan E. Pelletier and his girlfriend, Jessica Westberg DiSais, Bethany N. Kirchmann and her husband, Peter; Elizabeth M. White, Emma D. White and her husband, Thomas Gorman; Rev. Andrew D’Angio White and his wife, Rev. Sara D’Angio White and their daughter, Margaret Rose. He was the brother of the late M. Joseph, J. Edward and Thomas M. White.
His funeral will be held Saturday, October 3 at 9 a.m. from the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Benedict Church, Beach Ave. at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery, North Kingstown. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Benedict Church, 135 Beach Avenue, Warwick, RI 02889, will be appreciated. Information and condolences, visit TheQuinnFuneralHome.com
