John W. White Jr.

John Willie White, Jr., 81, of New Haven, CT passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. His loving wife of 61 years, Leslie was by his side. John was born on November 13, 1942 in Waterloo, IA. He was the second oldest of eight children, to the late Johnny White and 104-year-old Aretha White. He gave his life to Christ early in life and his entire family: parents, siblings, wife, mother-in-law, children, nephews and nieces all attended Savior Baptist Church where his Uncle Robert “Buddy” Burt was the founding Pastor. John went to public schools in Waterloo and graduated from East High School in 1960. During his high school years, John was a member of the Elks Drum and Bugle Corp, sang in a Doo-wop group that actually cut a single, and he was an outstanding wrestler. In fact, he continued wrestling while in the military. From 1960-1963 John served honorably in the United States Army as a Finance Clerk. He was stationed in Korea for the first 18 months and served the last 18 months at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX. On July 18, 1963, John made the best decision of his life. He married the woman of his dreams Leslie H. Hardy. They married in a simple ceremony in his parent’s house at 402 Cottage Street in Waterloo, IA. That is the same house his mother lives in today. They honeymooned in Mexico, but not before Leslie had to pay a debt the newlyweds owed John’s Sargent. John loved Leslie so much that in order to get back to Waterloo to marry her, he left the base before he confirmed his leave. Technically, he was absent without leave (AWOL). John’s Sargent admired his willingness to risk getting in trouble for love, so he approved the leave, but he did require John’s new wife Leslie to make him some collard greens and cornbread. John and Leslie went on to have three sons and nine grandchildren. John’s first job after leaving the Army was with Bearing Service Company. They supplied John Deere and auto manufacturers with parts. He was a truck driver for them from 1963-1966. From 1966-1971, John worked as a Sand Lab Technician at the John Deere factory along with his Father, youngest brother and many other family members. John wanted something more for his family so he worked 3rd shift at John Deere and attended the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) during the day. He received his bachelor of science degree in business administration. He went on to work at the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce where he began his career in public housing administration. In July of 1977, John moved his wife, three boys and mother-in-law to New Haven, CT for something better. This was the second-best decision he made in his life. He moved to New Haven to work for the New Haven Housing Authority (NHHA) where he was a Property Manager in the Dixwell/Newhallville neighborhoods. Wanting even better for himself and his family, John left the NHHA to join the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). By the time he retired from CHFA in the early 2000s he had helped tens of thousands of Connecticut citizens in the public housing space. He also had many achievements over the years including Chapter 51 President of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). While John had retired from working life as a professional, he didn’t stop working. John worked for his wife, Leslie’s catering business as an event set up coordinator, janitor and the best Sous Chef on the Eastern Coast. Rumor has it he chopped and diced an onion better than anyone. John also enjoyed spending time at events with his fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi, he pledged a graduate chapter in New Haven in 1978. He loved listening to and playing music, watching old Cowboy movies, rooting for his favorite football team the San Francisco 49ers, traveling the world with his wife and serving on the Board of Trustees at Immanuel Baptist Church. John was preceded in death by his father Johnny White and his sister Carolyn Speller. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 61 years, Leslie H. White; three sons: Steven of Stafford, VA (Mary), Troy of Nashville, TN (Renee), Mark of Middletown, CT (Elizabeth); and nine grandchildren: Jordan, Asia, Troy, David, Steven II, Ethan, Amaya, Melina and Myles. He also leaves siblings: Patricia White, Cecelia Hollins, Kathy Burkett, Inez Murtha, Robert “Bobby” White (Linda), and Anthony White (Ida) along with a host of relatives.

John W. White Jr.

November 13, 1942 - August 13, 2024