Donald G. White

On Friday, September 28, 2018 Donald G. White, exceptional husband, father, grandfather andfriend, died at the age of 88 after a battle with Parkinson's Disease; a disease that stole somany things from him, but never extinguished the kind and gentle spirit that carried him throughhis life. Donald was born in Sanford on June 26, 1930 to Edmund and Irene (Grenier) White.He was the second child and oldest son of eight, and always held himself to the higheststandards as a role model to his younger siblings. After graduating from St. Ignatius HighSchool in 1949 he joined the United States Air Force serving in Morocco until 1953. Shortlyafter his return, he met his wife of 63 years, Doris (Pouliot) White. He was instantly smitten andto her surprise, declared his love on their first date. This has become a source of greatamusement to his children and grandchildren given his quiet and reserved demeanor.He used the GI Bill to attend Grey's Business School, and pursued a career in accounting that began as an auditor for Ross, Lybrand, and Montgomery in Portland and ended at Wasco Products inSanford where he worked his way up to the position of Vice President of Finance. Donald andDoris formed lifelong friendships with several couples and enjoyed traveling together with themand their weekly dinners out on Saturday nights. He was an athlete, playing both tennis and fullcourt basketball into his late sixties. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with hischildren and grandchildren. It would be hard to imagine a man more loved by his family thanDonald. He was always the quiet, steady influence in the lives of his three children, providingan important counterbalance. After working his full time job, and doing additional bookkeepingjobs at night, he spent his weekends around his backyard pool where cousins and friends werealways welcomed, and lifetime memories were made. However, the role of grandfather was therole that truly demonstrated the depth of his greatness. "Pepere" or "Pep" as he wasaffectionately known by them, loved his grandchildren most of all . He was uniquely proud ofeach and every one of them, and did not hide it. He took a genuine interest in their lives, andmade it his mission in life to support them at sporting events, and in their hobbies andacademics. Most importantly, he was their friend. He is survived by his wife Doris, his daughter Deborah Westcott and her husband James, his son Steven White and his wife Patti and his daughter Judith Desrochers and her husband Pierre, his grandchildren Lindsey Rassuli, RyanWestcott, Tyler White, Jonah Desrochers, Jacob White, Spencer Desrochers and great grandson Aryan Rassuli, sister Lorraine Sanfacon, and brothers Hector White and Leonard White. He is predeceased by sisters Cecile Cormier, Gloria Swift and Rita Turgeon and brotherRobert White.Special thanks to the staff of Huntington Commons and Beacon Hospice who fell in love withthis special man.Services will be held on October 26 at 11:00 at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy FamilyChurch, Sanford.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Andre Healthcare Memory Care Garden Fund,407 Pool Street, Biddeford, ME 04005.