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Hugh R. White, proud veteran
March 1, 2024
Hugh R. White, 87, of Lewes, sadly left us Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up in River Edge, N.J., and then lived in Hillsdale, N.J., and Park Ridge, N.J., before moving to Millsboro, where he worked for property management doing landscaping in Bethany Beach before finally retiring in Lewes. However, he worked part time during retirement at his daughter and son-in-law’s store, Oceanside Casual Furniture in Rehoboth Beach.
Hugh is survived by his wife, Claire (O’Brien) White; his daughter, Linda Desantis and husband Don of North Carolina; his son, Paul Fedynich and wife Valerie of Florida; his son, John Fedynich and partner Ertug of New Jersey; his son, Jim Fedynich and wife Lisa of Florida; and his daughter Cathleen Lutz and husband Frank of Delaware. He also has nine grandchildren, Jason and wife Karen, Caitlin and husband Jimmy, Bobby and wife Natasha, Heather and husband Fernando, Brandon and wife Amy, Brianna, Sebastian and wife Jessica, Hughie and Anna; and eight great-grandchildren, Corey and wife Gabriella, Caroline, Cameron, Charlotte, Louis, Penelope, Samantha, and Leo.
Before starting a family, Hugh was a member of the Marines and was honorably discharged in 1959. Hugh’s life was filled with his faith and love for family and community. After working at the Hackensack Water Company, he decided to purchase Pop’s Delicatessen and Luncheonette in Park Ridge, next door to the high school. This allowed his family to be involved in the community, supporting the local sports and theater programs. He was beloved by many of the students and teachers who would visit daily. He was also active at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Park Ridge. His sense of humor and love of history, old movies, and music made for great conversation with all. He is known for being a surrogate teacher during the day when school kids would hang out at the store as he would give them assignments to make them laugh so they would enjoy their day. Hugh’s free time in Delaware as a grandpa was spent at Hughie and Anna’s sporting events while sharing chauffeur duties with grandma picking them both up from school regularly with a juice box and cookies.
Hugh was predeceased by his parents, Hugh and Cecilia White of New Jersey and Delaware; his in-laws, Patrick and Margaret O’Brien of New Jersey and Delaware; and his great-grandson Ethan Garza of Florida.
The family will be holding a celebration of life for family and friends in April in Dewey Beach.
Feel free to donate in Hugh’s honor to a local veterans affairs department cdceportal.va.gov/donate_online; or to the nonprofit support group for Parkinson’s members Cathleen helps train, sussexdeparkinsons.com/donate.
