Robert E. White, Jr., age 71, peacefully passed into the hands of God on Sunday, October 20, 2013, with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Sandra Viggiano White and the wind beneath her wings.
Bob was born in Bridgeport, CT on October 20, 1942, son of the late Robert E. White Sr. and Anna Maskel White, and he lived there for fifteen years until he came to Shelton in 1955 where he resided the rest of his life.
He was proud to be an American and served his country in the Navy, serving primarily on the USS Allagash during the Cuban missile crisis and the beginning of the the Viet Nam war. He then worked skinning Sikorsky helicopters during the Viet Nam War and building houses.
Bob had 32 dedicated service years with the Shelton Police Department. He was sworn in as a Shelton Police Officer on February 7, 1966. He served as patrolman, head of the youth bureau, the detective bureau, desk sergeant, Lieutenant, administrative Lieutenant, Captain, and the Police Chief.
While serving as a policeman, he graduated from the University of New Haven. Bob volunteered his time to the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, the Derby/Shelton Memorial Day committee, the Umbrella Group, the Shelton Youth Bureau, and many other non-profit organizations during his tenure as a Policeman. He was honored as a CT Policeman of the year in 1996.
Bob was a member of the of the Sutter Terlizzi American Legion Post #16, the International Police Assn, the Allagash Navy alumni, and he was a lifetime member of the Algonquin archery club.
He loved to compete. He was an avid competitive archer and won first place in the state of CT several times. He enjoyed water and snow skiing, playing basketball for the Hawks and Bulls in leagues or neighborhood games, softball, shotgun shooting, target shooting, surfing, bow shooting, and football. Through his love of sports and work as a youth officer he became active in coaching youth league sports. He coached biddy basketball, soccer, and Pop Warner, freshman, JV and varsity football.
He was very proud of the Shelton community and Lafayette kids always held a special place in his heart.
Bob loved to travel with his wife and he visited 49 states and many countries across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. He loved the outdoors fishing, boating, hunting, and hiking, not to mention parachuting and bungi jumping.
Bob was a past member of St. Margaret Mary’s Church council. He was a man of honor, respect, and integrity with a deep devotion to God.
He was the proud and devoted father of Robert White and his wife Joanne and Keith White and his wife Debra. He was pop pop to his three granddaughters Victoria, Emma, and Alexa and his grandson Brady, and was a supportive fan of all their endeavors. He also leaves two brothers, Martin and James White, a sister, Georgianna White, and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may greet the family at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton, on Thursday from 3 to 7 PM. On Friday his funeral procession will leave at 10:30 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St. Margaret Mary Church. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are requested to St. Margaret Mary Church, 50 Donovan Lane, Shelton, CT 06484, or to Closer to Free, in support of Dr. Mario Sznol cancer research, ℅ PO Box 7611, New Haven CT 06519 – 0611.
Offer condolences online at www.riverviewfh.com.
