Gary R. White

Gary R. White, 50, of Storrs, passed away peacefully in his home on Friday (March 14, 2003). Born in Ridgefield, NJ, on July 14, 1952, he was the son of Robert A. and the late Evelyn White. After graduation from St.Joseph's High School in West New York, he relocated to attend the University of Connecticut. He built a home in Ashford where he lived with his family for 20 years. During that time, he worked for the State Department of Mental Retardation where he advocated for independent living and formed many close relationships with his clients. The many adventures of his life include cross-country trips with his family, a transatlantic sailing voyage, and travels throughout Europe with his wife. With a passionate love of sailing, he captained his friends and family to many seaports from Maine to the Virgin Islands. He was a loving husband to his wife of 29 years, Katherine, and proud father of his children, daughter Laurel, of New York, NY, and son Devon, of Baltimore, MD. Beyond his immediate family, he is survived by his brother Jim, sister-in-law Pat, and niece, Bethany, all of Glenwood, NJ; brother Bob, sister-in-law Gerry, and nephew Christopher, all of Palisade Park, NJ; father-in-law Howard Meyer, of Fort Lee, NJ; sister-in-law Patricia Petrillo, and nephews John and Joe Petrillo, all of Toms River, NJ, and many other friends and family. He is predeceased by mother-in-law Mary Ellen Meyer and brother-in-law John Petrillo. Calling hours will be held Monday, March 17, from 4-7 p.m. at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Close friends and family are invited to stay for a memorial service at 7 p.m. Kindly omit flowers. The family suggests memorial contributions to VNAEast, Hospice of Eastern CT, 34 Ledgebrook Drive, , Mansfield Center, Connecticut 06250 or to The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation,1609 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, California 93101.