Dennis James White's Obituary
Dennis James White; of St. Helens, died in Portland on December 7, 2011 at the age 69. He was surrounded by his wife, children and family at the time of his death.
Dennis was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin on March 31, 1942; the son of Bernard James White and Mary Louise Starrine White and the eldest of two children. In 1960 he graduated from Premontre Catholic High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin and that fall he enlisted in the US Marine Corp and served on active duty until 1964.
After returning from active duty, Dennis married and had two children to that marriage. Then in 1978, he married his second wife and the love of his life, Patty Varuolo at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin and they had two children together.
Dennis began working for Mobil Oil in Green Bay in 1973 as a truck driver. After 29 years and 5 job transfers he retired as the Terminal Manager in Portland, Oregon. During this time he also attended the University of New Hampshire and obtained a bachelors degree in Business Administration graduating Suma Cum Laude.
Dennis was a man of very strong faith and was a member of St. Frederic Catholic Church where he served as President of the Pastoral Council. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and loved the Knights and all it did. He was a fourth degree Knight and held many positions in both the council, assembly and state level and eventually was elected the State Deputy of Oregon from 2007-2009. He was then asked to serve on the Board of Directors and advisory committee for Mount Angel Abbey & Seminary and continued to serve until his death.
Dennis loved life and enjoyed fishing, golfing, bowling, traveling, the love and joy his family provided him, and football; in fact at the hour of his death Dennis assured his family that the Packers would win the Super Bowl!
Dennis left his footprints in the lives of many and all would agree that he had a million dollar smile; he will truly be missed.
Dennis is survived by the love of his life, his wife Patty; his children Denise Whan, Patti Freeman, Anthony White, Christopher Bergh, Matthew White, Jessica Stead; 10 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and his sister, Joan Piron. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitations will be held from 6:00-8:00pm December 13th at Columbia Funeral Home.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00am December 14th at St. Frederic Catholic Church in St. Helens. A rosary service will precede the funeral at 10:00am. Interment will be at Allouez Catholic Cemetery in Green Bay, Wisconsin summer of 2012.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Mount Angel Seminarians, 1 Abbey Drive, St. Benedict, Oregon 97373.
Online condolences can be made to the family at: www.columbiafh.com
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