Obituary of Robert Hathorn White
South Portland and Dover-Foxcroft: Robert Hathorn White, died June 6, 2018 of complications from open heart surgery. He was the son of Norman Robert White and Priscilla Hathorn White. He graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1966, where he excelled as a varsity player in three sports and in the percussion section of the band. He also sang in three All State Choruses and as a senior, thrilled audiences with his performance in a wig and tights in THE UGLY DUCKLING. He continued his athletic career at the University of Maine, Orono, graduating from the University of Southern Maine in 1974 after active duty as a U.S. Navy medical corpsman. He was an elementary educator, primarily at Reiche and Clifford Schools in the Portland school system for over thirty years, where he served as vice president of the Portland Teachers Association and a state director of the Maine Education Association. He was a sports official for twenty years, refereeing high school and college basketball and high school football in Southern Maine. A member of Holy Cross Parish in South Portland, he served as a liturgical minister for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cheryl Stitham White and his daughter Dillen Hathorn White (Clark Sutton) stepgrandsons Finnegan and Sawyer Sutton; and son Ian Kearney White (Samantha), grandsons Beckett and Donovan White; and his brother Jere Clair White (Candace). His sisters- in-law and brothers-in-law as well as his numerous nieces and nephews will also miss his steady, caring and solid presence and his wicked dry sense of humor. Bob loved a good glass of scotch, the Red Sox, his family and Sebec Lake.
A funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Church in South Portland, at 10 am on August 2, 2018. A reception will follow at Purpoodock Golf Club in Cape Elizabeth. Graveside services in Dover-Foxcroft will take place later in August. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Helen Dillen Stitham Valedictorian Award at Foxcroft Academy, 975 West Maine Street, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine 04426 or Friends of South Portland Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland Maine, 04106.
Further information will be posted on the website of Lary Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.
