Mr. Joseph Joe Patrick White

He fought with conviction to the very end in the same way he lived his life on a daily basis with optimism, cheerfulness, and a sense of humor.

Left to cherish Joe’s memory are his wife, Ruth; sons, Chris (Bernadette), Kevin, and Stephen; daughters, Nancy Talley Helms (Les) and Kathy Clark (Andy); grandchildren, Tom (Amanda), Erin (Gene), Joe, Megan, Charlotte, Philip, Daniel, Julia, and Patrick; great grandchildren, Riley and Farrah; sister, Therese Boderck; and golf partner, Whitey Boswell. His grandchildren were his pride and joy. He encouraged, supported, and loved them unconditionally. He was an incredible husband, father and grandfather even though his own father died when he was a young boy and didn’t have his example to follow.

His life of serving others began by helping his mother support their family of seven.

He served in the US Army in Japan with the 1st Cavalry from 1946-1949 and then benefited from the GI bill earning his Bachelor of Business from Fairleigh Dickinson.

Joe married Ruth in 1955 and while supporting his growing family, earned his Masters Degree from NYU. After a successful career at Western Electric/Lucent Technologies, he retired in 1989 after 35 years of service.

Joe’s retirement was spent contributing countless hours helping his family as well as the community delivering mobile meals, senior shuttle service, overnight shelters, Red Cross disaster relief at 22 major disasters across the US – the last being the World Trade Center. In addition, Joe helped build the first Habitat for Humanity home in 1987 and has helped build every home that Habitat has built since (400+). On December 5, 2013, Joe was honored by Habitat and his work crew friends announcing the establishment of the "Joe White Volunteer of the Year Award." His final selfless act was the donation of his body to Duke University School of Medicine.

When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s events, reading history, working outside, playing golf, and bowling.

He emphasized in his final weeks that he has been blessed all of his life and could not have accomplished so much without Ruth’s love and support throughout their 58 years of marriage. Sincere thanks for the compassionate care received from Dr. Russo, Melissa, and the caregivers at Moses Cone and Beacon Place.

Visitation will be held at Hanes-Lineberry, 515 N. Elm Street on Friday, December 20, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00pm. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Jack Timlin Jr. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 812 Duke Street on Saturday, December 21, 2013, at 11:00AM where he has been a faithful parishioner and volunteer for 37 years.

In lieu of flowers, he has requested a good deed be done and say “that’s for Joe!”

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.