Dr. Linwood E. White, Sr.

Our beloved Lin White, 94, passed away on Tuesday July 27th, 2021 at Northern Light Medical Center. He was born October 6th, 1926, the son of Linton Marble White and Maisie (Nichols) White. He attended school in Livermore Falls. Always a hard worker, he drove a team of logging horses at age 12. At 15, Lin poured hot bronze valves for the WWII victory ships. Once 18, eager to serve his country, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp and was part of the Occupational Force in Germany during World War II. While on R&R with his unit they visited and toured the Vatican, where they had a much cherished personal audience and blessing with Pope Pius XII.

After returning from service he and his uncles worked as a team at International Paper. Lin graduated from Gorham Teachers College (now part of the University of Southern Maine). He taught at Orono High School as the Industrial Arts teacher where he met his bride to be, the Home Economics teacher Jean McIntire in 1952. During this period of time, summers were spent as Camp Director of Camp Bob White and Camp Bob O’Link in the Hopkinton, MA area. He became the first Principal with the opening of the Asa Adams Elementary in Orono in 1957. He completed a Master’s Degree and a Certificate of Advanced Study from the University of Maine. Lin was an active pillar of the community- serving on many boards including the NEA, the MTA, Orono UMC Trustee, Girl Scouts, and other associations. He completed a Master’s Degree at Columbia University in NYC, followed by his Doctorate in 1980. Lin’s entrepreneurial spirit lead him to reestablish Parks Hardware, a business that had been a staple in Orono since its opening in 1892. After his retirement from education he also became a contractor for the US Postal Service.

Traveling around the world gave him special joy and he visited 50 countries. Lin and Jean always were up for adventure and he celebrated his 80th birthday in a small village in South Africa. As a World War II veteran he was honored to participate in the Honor Flight and visit the World War II Memorial in Washington DC with his daughter Sandie Dubay in October 2019.

In the early fall of 1954 Lin and Jean purchased a summer cottage at Upper Dam Maine. This cherished slice of God’s country has provided a special place for family and friends to share laughter, love and countless “UPTA Camp” adventures. In 1991 they purchased a winter residence in Largo, Florida where many happy hours were spent with friends and family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Jean White; daughters, Bonnie Navarro and husband John, Sandie Dubay and husband Kevin; sons, Lin and wife Kari, David and former AFS student Ricardo. Brother Delance White and wife Terry. Grandchildren; Jackie, Nicole, Jaclynn, Sarah, Kristin and husband Tony, Kyle, Kailynn, Erin, Nora, Ruth, Clara, Melonie, Lynnelle, Jonathan and fiancé Emily. Great Grandchildren; Coehn, Marley, Kaiden, Kinsley, Kier, Dezaray, Terri, Evelyn and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the United Methodist Church of Orono, 36 Oak Street, Orono. Relatives and friends are invited to a reception at the church following the service. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Orono. Gifts in his memory may be sent to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, 11 Penobscot Meadow, Hampden, ME 04444. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.