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Thomas White Obituary



Following a mercifully short battle with cancer, Tom White died on September 29th with family by his side. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 45 years, Penelope Foster, their daughter Elizabeth White of Brooklyn, NY, and three children from a previous marriage to Susan Ireland: daughter Lisa White, her husband Mark Mano, and their children Marina and Corey of San Anselmo, CA, son Thomas Conover White, Jr., his wife Elizabeth Thompson, and their children Beatrice and Penelope of Brooklyn, NY, and daughter Molly Herzog, her husband Peter, and their children Anton, Amber, and Matthew of Tumwater, WA. Tom is also survived by his four siblings: James, Benjamin, and Richard White, and Dr. Charlotte Cowan, and their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Born to Dr. Benjamin V. White, Jr. and Charlotte Conover White in Boston in 1935, Tom grew up in Garrett Park, MD and West Hartford, CT. He was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy ('52) and Harvard University ('56) and served in the Army for two years as a neuropsychiatric specialist at Walter Reed Hospital before entering Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 1962. Tom began the practice of law at Robinson, Robinson, and Cole in Hartford, while living in New Hartford, later moving to the firm of Howd, Lavieri & Finch in neighboring Winsted. He left Howd, Lavieri, Finch, & White in the early 1970s to serve as State Insurance Commissioner for two years, then returned to the law, partnering with Herbert Isaacson for a number of years before continuing in solo practice. Tom enjoyed searching for reptiles, planning trips, sailing in Nantucket Sound and Nova Scotia, and watching "the light on the water". He was most comfortable in old clothes (the older the better), and will be remembered for his intellect, his pursuit of justice for the underdog, his love of nature, and sense of humor. Undoubtedly he would wish us all to "keep up the good work". Tom and Penny have lived in Colebrook since 1970. The family wishes to thank Dr. Katherine Harvey for her expert guidance, and the staff at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington for their excellent care and compassion. The memorial gathering will be private. Montano-Shea Funeral Home, Winsted has care of the arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Cancer Care Fund of Litchfield Hills, 200 Kennedy Drive, Torrington, CT 06790. For online condolences visit legacy.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Oct. 18, 2015.

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Richard White

October 29, 2015

Tom

Tom was ten years older than I. So by the time I could remember much, he was off at Exeter. So we didn't exactly grow up together. But Tom had a real impact on my life in a variety of ways.

Fishing:

Tom was the one who really got me interested in fishing, and we spent many hours together fishing for stripers and blues on the Cape. We also used to sneak into Eagle Pond to fish for largemouth bass, always on the lookout for Otis Barton. Tom also introduced me to Camel cigarettes and Ballentine Ale (yuck).

One of my earliest memories is of Tom bringing me a fishing rod and tackle box he had purchased at the PX when he was in the Army. The rod and reel are long gone, but I used them to pursue brook trout in both Trout Brook in West Hartford and the river by Tom's house in New Hartford, as well as scup on the Cape. I still have the tackle box, and it has made about 25 trips with me to northern Quebec.

Fishing is now my number one hobby, as Kathy can attest. I now have more rods and reels of various kinds than I can keep track of. It's all his fault.

Golf:

At some point when I was growing up Tom thought he could teach me how to play golf. He tried, but it was a losing cause. For few years we hacked our way around the Cotuit Highground and Santuit courses, but I never could figure out how to hit the ball long and straight. And I got mad and threw clubs and swore a lot. So everyone was relieved when I gave it up.

UNC:

Tom was supportive of my decision to go to UNC and always seems interested in my activities there. I think he thought it was a plus that I wasn't going to a New England Ivy league school. He even came to my graduation there and was happy to meet Kathy. He later was an usher at our wedding.

Law:

Tom had a direct influence on my becoming the country lawyer I became. He was at the Naz with us when I got the news that I was accepted at law school after several months on the waiting list. That night he gave me heap big advice about law school, some of which I may have remembered. But probably more importantly, at some point he suggested that I might shadow him for a day in the life of a country lawyer. So I went out to Winsted and followed him around as he searched a title, went to court for motion day, and saw a couple of clients. I was struck by the fact that everyone seemed to know and respect Tom, and that the variety present in a country practice was very appealing. So that is how I wound up in a small town practice in northern Vermont.



Nova Scotia:

Nova Scotia was really important to Tom. I never knew why until I went to visit him one summer.
His house was a bit rustic, and the term farm was a gross overstatement. But it was pretty up there, and the sailing was interesting, albeit a little scary: think beetle cat, big waves, deep, cold water, strong winds and you get the picture. What really impressed me though was Tom's relationship with the neighboring farmer who grazed a few heifers on his place and lived nearby. These folks were salt of the earth, old style dairy farmers. Their operation brought to mind what farming in Vermont must have been like 25 years earlier. They invited us to a traditional farmer's mid-day dinner. I was struck by their clear affection for Tom because he was so accepting of them and their ways. I think his positive experience in Nova Scotia increased my appreciation for my own experiences in different parts of Canada, mainly northern Quebec and Newfoundland.

Keep it small:

As I reflect on Tom's influence on me, I think it can be summed up in the advice to keep it small: small department at UNC (Russian), small ship in the Navy, small state, small law firm, small bank. I think that worked for Tom and I know it worked for me. And I know the fishing works, although I keep trying for the big ones.

Rick Wallace

October 19, 2015

I am sorry to read of Tom's passing. As a fellow member of the bar I had numerous opportunities to engage professionally with Tom. Whether we were on the same side or opposing each other he was always a true gentleman, kind and considerate, and a man of character and integrity. Tom was a credit to the profession and highly regarded by all. Rick Wallace, Barkhamsted

Lisa Hudkins

October 18, 2015

DeaR Liz and Penney, We are so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. We have such great memories of him at the Cape. Kris and Liz sailing around Nantucket Sound with Tom looking on, whT a great man

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