A treasured, cherished much loved man departed this earth today, September 23, 2012, with great grace and dignity. The world is a little less bright as his beautiful soul was taken much too early, Rick faced his diagnosis with courage and determination that was amazing to witness; so positive all the time even though he knew the odds were against him. He was my rock and remained so throughout the journey we had to take together. Knowing the inevitable was coming, he faced death with grace, dignity and humour, making his family laugh amongst all the tears. He was and will always be my husband, my lover, my best friend, the father of my children, my companion, my dance partner, my heart and soul, my everything. Always remember my love, “I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart), I am never without it…” See you later sweet heart!
Passed peacefully away, surrounded by so much love, Richard Michael White, aged 56 years. Leaving to mourn their devastating loss but joyful for his life; his loving and devoted wife Susan (Walsh); his children: Christopher (Nancy), Blair (Jennifer), Matthew (Joanne), Renée (Robert) and Michael (Frances). Now watching over them from above, Rick leaves his three precious girls: Rhianna, Neila and Caitlyn and special boy Liam Hurley. Rick so wanted to be with them as they grew up, unfortunately, it was not meant to be. Also leaving to mourn his sister Kathleen Halliday (Mike); his mother-in-law Claire Joy Walsh; sisters-in-law Charmaine Meaney (Doug), Anne Springer (Del), Deborah Walsh, Toni Green (Roger), Heather Gagnon (Claude), Catherine Fitzgerald (Mark), Wendy Chaulk (Dean), Margaret Walsh Van Dommalean (Gary), Lorilei Walsh Park (Glenn); brothers-in-law: Shawn and Paul Walsh; uncles: Gerald White (Shirley), Andy Walsh (Mary), Maurice Kavanagh (Sandra); nieces, nephews, as well as other family members. Friends and colleagues at Keyin College, friends and former colleagues at The Telegram; friends in the ballroom dance community. Cremation has taken place. There will be a visitation at Barrett’s Funeral Home, 328 Hamilton Avenue on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2 - 4 pm and 7 - 9 pm. Funeral Mass will be held from The Parish of St. Teresa’s, Mundy Pond on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. No flowers by request; donations in his memory may be made to the Children’s Wish Foundation or The Candlelighter’s Association (to honour two people who were inspirations to him, Cancer survivors his son Christopher and his nephew Andrew Chaulk). Please visit www.barretts.ca to sign the memorial guest book.