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ROY EDMUND WHITE
Date of Passing: May 08, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryROY EDMUND WHITE
Our dad, Roy Edmund White, shuffled off this mortal coil at Tuxedo Villa on May 8, 2024, after a long and fulfilling life.
Born in Hartney, Manitoba, in 1928, he was 95 years old. His father, Abram, was a farmer but farming was not for Roy, so he attended Brandon College and started a stellar career in education. He also met our mother Edith Giles, and they were married in 1947. They had three boys, Gregory, John, and Darrell.
Roy eventually returned to Hartney as principal of the high school and remained there until 1968, when he became Superintendent of Schools in Carman, Manitoba. It was during his time in Hartney that the family had a life-changing experience. He was posted by the Canadian government (CIDA) to a village outside Kano, Nigeria where he taught at a teachers training college. Although initially hit by culture shock, the family learned to love the people and environment of Africa. It was here that Roy gained his deep respect for other creeds and cultures. And the whole family started to play tennis.
In 1972 the family moved to Winnipeg, where Roy worked for the Manitoba Association of School Trustees, a position he held until his retirement. But he felt he still had a lot to give and spent much of his retirement working as a consultant with municipalities and school boards across Northern Canada. True to form, he grew to love the North and the people who lived there. He had his last contract at the age of 83.
Roy loved playing sports like golf and pool and of course tennis. At the age of 73 he and his partner won the Western Canada over 65 championships. Some of the best times of his life were spent on tennis courts at Clear Lake and Taylor Tennis Club with his dear friends Bill Brownstone and Fred Dahlmer. End of an era indeed.
In his 90th year Roy published a book of doggerel entitled Nonsense Rhymes from a Nonagenarian which gained popularity among his friends and others. I would be remiss if I didn't include at least one poem:
During the thirties
we all watched the sky
Sometimes there would
a cloud rolling by!
My dad would just look at their track.
They are empties on their way back.
Roy White is survived by his three sons, Gregory, John and Darrell, and his beloved granddaughter Erica White.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2024, May 11, 2024
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Oh I do so miss, and always will admire and think fondly of Roy. We met oddly: I had applied for a Labour Relations Assistant position in another department of MAST, and Roy, in his inimitable and casual way remembered he was now in need of an Education(al) Assistant, so he swiped my resume from Ray Whiteway's incoming mail tray. We met for a snack at Eaton Place, and he explained the position, the role and responsibilities, but he couldn't resist more eagerly talking about Margaret Laurence and W.O. Mitchell and the richness of literature. I'm not sure if I ever won a snooker game played with him on the classic 6 X 12 tables but it was always pure enjoyment. All my best to each son. - Posted by: Ray Serwylo (Roy was my boss at MAST and a Dear Friend) on: Jun 25, 2024
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Our condolences to the whole family. My fondest memories of Roy were at Clear Lake and in particular when him and my Dad were in a parade there with Roy in a huuuge Texan hat on a bicycle pulling a trailer of my Dad behind him playing the clarinet. Take Care, Tony and Mary - Posted by: Tony Weekes (Friend) on: May 14, 2024
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My/our sincerest condolences to the White family Darrell, Greg, and John. As you know we've been long time friends of the family for fifty years. Our parents would get together over the years with both your Mom and Dad. My Dad Fred and Roy would play singles and doubles tennis together weekly while Darrell and I Norm would play them as well. Our Dad's used to love to smoke their cigars and have a beer telling a couple of jokes ... Good times, great memories and know that we only have fond memories of your Dad. Norm Daumler. - Posted by: Norm (Friend) on: May 11, 2024
