James N. White

White, The Honorable James N. AMSTERDAM The Honorable James Nisbet White, 81 years old, of Van Dyke Avenue, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at his home, with his loving family at his side. He was born December 31, 1929 in Amster dam, the son of Dr. James D. and Mrs. Lucy Nisbet White. He was the grandson of former Montgo Mery County Judge and District Attorney, Charles S. Nisbet. He was raised in Amsterdam and graduated from the former Wilber H. Lynch High School in 1947. Judge White lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He had a lifelong love of sports and has been loyal to the Chicago Cubs since 1937. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with honors in 1951 and served as president of Zigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Delta Chapter. He then graduated from Harvard Law School, class of 1955. Judge White practiced law in Rochester, N.Y. for several years, returning to Amsterdam in 1957 where he entered into practice with Coleman Taylor and Edward L. (Ned) Wilkinson. Later he formed a law firm with his brother Charles N. White and Donald Campbell. On January 1, 1959 he was appointed assistant district attorney of Montgomery County by District Attorney William J. Crangle. On October 23, 1960 he married the former Helen Carp. In 1964 he was elected district attorney of Montgomery County and was re-elected in 1967 and 1970. In January 1972 he was appointed Montgomery County Judge by Governor Nelson D. Rockefeller and then was elected to a ten year term in November of 1972. He was re-elected county judge in 1982, and in 1984 was elected justice of the supreme court for the Fourth Judicial District which encompasses the 11 counties running from Schenectady to the Canadian border. Judge White was named administrative judge for the Fourth Judicial District in 1991, and in September 1993, he was appointed to the Appellate Division, Third Department by Governor Mario Cuomo. He continued to serve in this capacity until his retirement from the Supreme Court in 1998. After his retirement, he served as a judicial hearing officer and acted as an arbitrator and mediator in cases pending before the appellate division. Judge White was active with the Montgomery County Big Brothers from its inception, serving as president and board member for many years. He was a trustee and vice-president of Amsterdam Memorial Hospital. Justice White was a member of the American, New York State, Montgomery and Fulton County Bar Associations. He served as president of the Montgomery County Bar Association. Judge White was named Young Man of the Year in 1959, by the Amsterdam Jaycees and man of the year by the Amsterdam Elks Club in 1981. He was a former member of the YMCA Board of Directors receiving its Citizen of the Year award in 2002, a Warden and Vestryman of St. Ann's Episcopal Church, a member of Welcome Lodge and of the Elks Club. He also served as chairman of the Amsterdam Community Chest Drive and the Montgomery County Christmas Seal Drive. Statewide, he was a member of the NYS Crime Control Board, chairman of the committee on fee dispute resolution, and was a member of the commission of fiduciary appointments. In 1998, he received the Felix J. Aulisi Award from the NYS Trial Lawyers Association. Judge White is survived by his loving wife Helen; his adoring daughters, Nancy White (Kevin) Creagan, Carolyn J. White and Amy White (Scott) Soule; his cherished grandchildren, Caroline Creagan, Charlotte, James and Thomas Soule; his brother, Charles N. (Susan) White; his brother-in-law, Francis C. Newton Jr.; nephews, Francis C. Newton 3rd and James W. Newton and their families; his cousin, Ada Susan Diamond, as well as nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth White Newton on June 23 of this year. Jim was a man of high character who treasured his family, friends and colleagues. He was a true gentleman and a loving husband, father and grandfather, who will be sadly missed and always remembered by his family and friends. The family would like to especially thank Joseph Fish for the wonderful care that he provided for Jim. The Office For the Burial of the Dead will be read and Holy Eucharist celebrated by The Rev. Neal Longe, 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at St. Ann's Episcopal Church, 37 Division Street, Amsterdam. Burial will be private. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 2 until 5 p.m. at St. Ann's Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann's Episcopal Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, Amsterdam. "Please sign our guestbook at WWW.brbsfuneral.com."