Hudson – Ronald F. White, 80, of Hudson, died Saturday, June 15, 2013 at UMass Memorial Healthcare, University Campus in Worcester after a courageous battle with lymphoma leukemia. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Diane (Wirth) White.
Ronald was born in Marlborough, son of the late Francis H. White and Violet (Boule) White. He attended grammar schools in Marlborough and Hudson. He was a graduate of Hudson High School, class of 1951 where he participated in sports, basketball, baseball and football, winning the first “Most Valuable Player Award” for the 1950 annual Thanksgiving game. He also was a member of the Hudson High School State Champion baseball team in 1951.
In 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Signal Corps. He was a Korean War Veteran and was honorably discharged in 1956 as a Sergeant First Class. He then joined the Massachusetts National Guard, Hudson Company B, and also served in Concord, Clinton and Worcester, retiring in 1973 as a Captain of Armor. He was appointed to and graduated from the Massachusetts Military Academy in 1961 as a Second Lieutenant. One of his proudest moments was leading the Massachusetts Military Academy contingent in the John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Parade.
He was an employee of the New England Telephone Co. for 30 years and retired in 1992.
Ron is a former Chairman of the Hudson Housing Authority; Chairman of the Hudson Council-On-Aging, and member of the Hudson Lodge of Elks; Hudson Food Pantry and Knights of Columbus.
He enjoyed coaching youth sports, including hockey and baseball. he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He especially enjoyed spending summers in Wells/Sanford, Maine with his family and friends. He was a devoted father and pepere and will be missed by all.
Besides his wife, he leaves his children, Kathryn White of Hudson, Paul White and his wife Cheryl of Hubbardston, Kelly Marinilli and her husband Paul of Pepperell and John White and his wife Joanna of Hudson. He is also survived by his sister, Maureen Ruth of Holden, and his six grandchildren, Jennifer, Vincent, Randall, Connie, Emily and Cameron.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, June 19, at 9:00 a.m., in Saint Michael's Church, 21 Manning St., Hudson. Burial will follow in Forestvale Cemetery of Hudson. Family and friends may attend calling hours Tuesday, June 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ronald may be made to The Hudson Council-On-Aging, 29 Church St., Hudson, MA 01749.
