Loring Charles White, Sr. passed from this well-lived life into the eternal on Monday February 4, 2019. Loring was the second son of Howard and Helen (Smith) White, born to them on Oneida Street in Rome, NY on March 25, 1924. A 1941 graduate of Rome Free Academy, Loring first served his country as a cryptographer in the US Army Signal Corp before training with the Army Air Force as a bombardier in the B-24. He served stateside throughout the latter years of WWII, finally completing his service as a bombardier instructor of Nationalist Chinese Cadets at Midland-Odessa Air Field, Texas.
In what sounds like an old movie plot, Loring met his future wife, Ethel Miller, in Rome Hospital; he the patient, she the nurse. They were married in Rome’s St. Mary’s Catholic Church August 23, 1947 and raised their four children together. Loring’s career was spent as inspector and later as Director of Quality Control first at Rome Cable and then in the emerging cable television industry. Loring’s expertise took him and his family to Phoenix, Arizona in 1966. In 1988, he retired from the Arizona Public Service Company.
During retirement Loring and Ethel travelled extensively to Hawaii, the British Isles and throughout the US. They each reveled in researching family genealogy and prowling old graveyards. Loring created a wood working shop that was the envy of his sons and sons-in-law. His exquisite joinery work was emblematic of his meticulous nature.
Loring and Ethel made their final home together near family in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. Following his beloved’s death in 2010 Loring returned to his boyhood home to live out his days.
Loring is survived by his and Ethel’s four children and their spouses: Diane and Paul Miller, Blossvale, NY; Loring Jr. (Bud) and Kristi White, Escondido, CA; Sandra and Michael Anderson, Missoula, MT; Charles (Chuck) White of Quincy, CA; and Dale Walker, Arkansas, a son by a previous marriage; his sister Ruth Luscka, Rome, NY; and brother-in-law, Luke Miller, New Berlin, NY. Loring leaves sixteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Loring was predeceased by his wife, Ethel, an infant granddaughter, a brother Howard White, Jr., Athena, OR and his sister Pearl Alvarez, Rome, NY.
Roman Catholic funeral mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 210 W. Liberty St., Rome, NY on Friday, February 8, 2019. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to a charity of your choice in Loring’s name.
You may light a candle, send a message of sympathy, and read the obituary at www.nunnandharper.com.