1925 – 2016
SOUTH PARIS — Claude F. White, 90, of Rumford passed away Friday afternoon, Mar. 18, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris with family and friends by his side.
He was born on Oct. 5, 1925, in Andover, a son of Fulton Isaac and Ann Mabel (May) White. He attended Andover schools and quickly enlisted in the U.S. Army.
A veteran of World War II, Claude served in Germany, with the Headquarters Company 3rd Battalion, 334th Inf. Regiment, 84th Division, having earned the Good Conduct Medal and Distinguished Unit Badge. His service to his country was something he did not often speak of, but it was a source of great pride to his family.
Upon his discharge from the Army, Claude began his civilian life working as a firefighter for the town of Rumford. He later worked at Davis Marina and Warren S. Abbott’s John Deere for many years, which he loved very much. Later in life, he worked with Archie’s Transportation, hauling trailers to and from the mill.
The family would like to send a special thanks to his extended family at the Maine Veterans’ Home of South Paris for the loving care provided to him. Extra special to Claude were Jenni and Dana, a.k.a. “the sisters,” and Debbie, lovingly known as “Big Sally.” Claude loved sharing stories with his twin cousins, David and Danny of Andover.
He lived in the Oxford Hills area in his retirement, before returning to his beloved Rumford and Rumford Point.
He was a member of the Knights of Pythias in Andover and the Second Congregational Church of Norway. He enjoyed the outdoors, tinkering, cooking, bird-watching and traveling.
Claude is survived by his children, James White, Debra Vines and her companion, Tom Carro, of Oxford, Allen White of Rumford Point, and Laurie Hutchins and her husband, Bruce, of Jay; two grandchildren, Shelley Nau of Hampton, Va., and Nicholas Hutchins of Lake Wales, Fla.; six great-grandchildren, Lilly, Andrew, Alex, Austin, Aiden and Rebecca; four sisters, Emma Giroux of Rumford, Alice Gagne of Hartford, Conn., Grace Jamison of Rumford, and Juliette Salatino of Rumford; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Madeline (Glazier) in 1979; wife, Dolly Chick in 2015; six brothers; three sisters; one granddaughter, Kathy Vines; and daughter-in-law, Wenda White.
Online condolences may be shared at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.
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