Michael White

Michael David White, age 65, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 4, 2023 at his home in Canaan, CT. He was born on July 3, 1958 to Dolores (Bartz) White and Robert Raymond White of Bristol, CT. Mike was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer on March 16, 2016 and was later informed that less than 25% of people with this diagnosis survive five years.  Mike, being the true warrior that he was, defied the odds and continued to live a full life for nearly seven and one half years. 

Michael joined the Marine Corps at the age of 18 and became a Sergeant at the age of 19.  Among his many accomplishments he earned gold medals for distinguished rifle and distinguished pistol shooting.  Michael was devoted to the Marine Corp and faithfully served his country for ten years. He was a property manager for Silver Lake Conference Center of Sharon CT for eleven years.  It was there that many children of the camp attendees fell in love with Mike while he taught them many life skills as well as life lessons.  He was also a constant prankster to his camp kids.  You could always count on him to come roaring out of the bushes or a field dressed in a ghillie suit ready to ‘strike’ his unsuspecting target.  He held contractor licenses for plumbing & heating, air conditioning and fire protection.  He retired from being a fire protection inspector in 2020 and went on to enjoy a very full and happy life.  

Mike was a private pilot, an experienced scuba diver and enjoyed the encounter of a lifetime while diving with sharks in the Bahamas.  He was a skydiver, he loved to fish, especially bass fishing and deep-sea fishing.  He was an avid boater.  He delighted in introducing his friends to places and things they had never experienced before, whether it be the majesty that is Sturgis, SD, flying in the silence and solitude of the clouds, diving into the depths of the ocean or just sitting around a campfire beside a lake in Pittsburg, NH. His biggest love, however, was riding one of his many Harleys with his Jennie lovingly holding on to him from behind accompanied by far too many wonderful friends to list.  There was never a question about a motorcycle that Michael could not answer.  The most perfect rides, however, were the spur-of-the-moment trips taken by just Jen and Mike by themselves.  One such trip occurred early one morning when they slipped away from the crowd and rode into the misty foggy morning through the rugged mountains and canyons that surround Sturgis listening to their favorite music playing. 

Mike is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jennifer Blake White (Mike’s gal ‘Jenny’); his children, Kimberly White of Wellborn, FL, Jenifer White of Port Orange, FL, Christopher (Shannon) Szymanski of Torrington, CT and Courtney White (Torian Ralph) also of Torrington, CT; his grandchildren include Kylie Bigger, Kyle Rodriguez, Raven Rodriguez, Sierra Szymanski and Blake Szymanski.  He also leaves behind his sisters, Marilyn White Young (Leonard) of Port Charlotte, FL and Pittsburg, NH, Beverly White Fortier of Port Charlotte, FL, and JoAnne White Little (William) of Port Charlotte, FL, as well as many nieces and nephews.   

A Celebration of Life will be held at the VFW in Canaan, CT on Saturday, September 23, 2023, noon to 4 pm.  All are welcome to attend and share your happy memories. We’d love to hear them.  Expressions of sympathy in Michael’s memory may be made to the VFW Post 6851, P.O. Box 913, North Canaan, CT 06018

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