Obituary of Charles William White

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Charles (Charlie) White announce his passing on April 11, 2025 in palliative care at WMH, at the age of 96, surrounded by his loving family.

Leaving to mourn with a lifetime of wonderful memories, his wife of almost 74 years Marie (nee Parsons). His children, Dorothy (Mike) Coleman, Rhonda (Gary Loveridge) Fawcett, David (Sandy) White and Donna (Rick) Butt. His much adored grandchildren, Amy (Jeff), Andrew (Shelley), Matthew (Melanie), Jay (Katrina), Justin, John (Sandy), Shawn, Chris, Alex (Scott) and Nick (Teddi).

His great grandchildren, Keagan, Michael (Heidi), Andrew, Ethan, Conor, Sophia, Mya, Odin, Draco, Katie, Harrison, Mary, Ivan, Norman, JG, Lucas and June.

His brother Frank (Bonnie) Saunders.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Hannah White, and stepfather Joby Saunders, his siblings, Eric, Jean, and Chesley and their spouses, his son-in-law, Larry Fawcett and his many in-laws and their spouses.

Dad grew up in St. John’s. As a young man, he travelled to Corner Brook for an interview at the Western Star as a lineatype operator. While there he spotted a pretty young girl working as a secretary. He told a friend he saw the girl he was going to marry. Sure enough a few years later, he and Mom made his dream come true. They raised a devoted family and shared more happy years together than anyone could have imagined.

In his early 40s he and his partners bought the commercial printing plant at the Western Star and started their own successful business Commercial Printing.

At 57 Dad retired. The next day he got up at the usual time and drove to his cabin at George’s lake. It was a constant source of joy and many projects for him and Marie for almost 40 more years.

His many hobbies included bowling, scuba diving, salmon fishing, moose and rabbit hunting, flytying and photography. He spent one whole year restoring a 28 foot cabin cruiser which he and Mom enjoyed cruising the Bay of Islands. He built his own telescope going so far as grinding his own lenses. He decided to take up golf at 70, which he played for another 20 years with his many buddies. He was quite a gardener, growing many things, including giant pumpkins, something he was very proud of. What a wonderful life he has led.

When he became a grandfather, we had planned to call him Grampy, but when his first grandchild, Amy, came along, she couldn’t pronounce it so she called him Bunkey as did all subsequent grand and great grandchildren. His cabin eventually became filled with what we called Bunkey Art after he discovered a talent for woodworking.

So to Bunkey - we love you, we’ll miss you, and we will always remember you with hearts full of pride and gratitude.

A special thank you to Dr. Young and the caring staff at Westmount Estates who made Mom and Dad so welcome. Also a special thank you to the staff on 4B at WMH as well as Dr. Peacock and the staff at palliative care.

A celebration of his life will be held later this summer.

In lieu of flowers donations would be greatly appreciated to the WMH Foundation, Cuddle Bed Project for the purchase of a cuddle bed at palliative care.