Obituary of John White

John White, 94 of Atlantic Highlands died Monday after a short illness. He was born in Matawan and lived in the Middletown/Atlantic Highlands area since 1964.

He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy. John enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after high school, serving in the MP’s at Fort Myer, VA. He graduated from Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, New York University and Newark State College (Kean). He was a teacher in Hazlet Township, retiring in 1991 after 27 years in that district. During retirement he picked up oil painting again, and created numerous landscapes but enjoyed his abstract paintings more as it allowed him to play and create stunning color combinations and designs. He was a member of The Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury and Atlantic Highlands Arts Council. He also enjoyed the Arts Council’s poetry group. John was a member of the American Legion, Leonardo Post 338. John also loved jazz music, hearing it for the first time while attending art school in Newark. His collection of jazz included recordings from the early 1920’s into the 21st century. 

John was a parishioner of St. Agnes Catholic Church. He was a long-time fan of the New York Giants, New York Mets and before the Mets he loved the New York baseball Giants along with the New York Rangers.

He was predeceased by his parents, John, and Mary (Haley) White, his sister Charlotte W. Hornsby, a son John F. in 1958 and by his beloved wife of 45 years, Margaret (Rabbitt) White in 2002. Surviving are sons Lawrence White and his wife, Elizabeth of Beverly, MA and Mark White and his wife Debra of Hazlet. Three grandchildren, Stacey, and husband George Depoe, Kyle White and Lauren White and two great grandchildren Maggie and Mallory Depoe. His companion and friend for the last 20 years Rosalie Loder and her daughter, Susan brought him much love, joy, and happiness. John will be missed by his nieces and nephews. 

The Posten-McGinley Funeral Home, 59 E. Lincoln Ave., Atl. Highlands is handling arrangements. Family and friends may pay their respects between 4 and 8 p.m. Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at St. Agnes RC Church, Atl. Highlands at 10 a.m., interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Keyport. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in John’s name to the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council 54 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, N.J. 07716.