Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 25th until the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Inverness, Illinois. Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, Palatine, Illinois. To access the Live Stream of Raymond White’s funeral, please visit Holy Family’s website at: www.holyfamilyparish.org
Scroll down and click on the red rectangle “Funerals and Weddings Stream”
Raymond Joseph White, born in Chicago October 5th, 1927; member of the Greatest Generation, WWII Victory Medal recipient having served in Occupied Japan in the US Army; dearly beloved husband of the late Rosemary C. White; cherished father of Raymond J., Jr. (Stephanie), Gerald (Annie), Suanne (Joe) Leahy, Gregory (Mary Jo), John (Maribeth), Joseph (Gina) and Christopher (Kimberly); treasured grandfather of Bridget (Chris) Kaspar, Jennifer (fiancé Mike DeVito) Petruzzi, Jimmy (Jennifer) Petruzzi, Jr., Libby (Ian) Hudson, Maureen (Frank) Gibson, Megan (Brian) Robin, Katie Petruzzi, Annie Laurie (Dan) Berni, Maggie (Geoffrey Harrison) White, Michael (Robyn) White, Marty (Margaret) White, Michelle (Kyle) Johnson, Christen (fiancé Manny Cruz) White, Meaghan (Bradley) Weitzel, Nora (Kevin) Malone, Lauren White, C.K. (fiancée Lindsey Costliow) White, Jr., Peter Curran O’Meara, Spencer White and Rosemary White; delighted great-grandfather of Ryan, Holly, Tyler, Leah, Jimmy, III, Kailey Rose, Callum, Lyla, Gemma, John, Mia, Samantha, Jeremy, Franklin, William, Leo, Margot, Brennan, Susannah, Merritt, Hannah, Sullivan, Rosemary, Elijah, Eliza, Quinn, Ryan, Isaiah, Collins Mae, and a great-grandchild to be born this summer; devoted son of the late Florence May (Aikin) and Joseph Charles White; dearest brother of the late Jean Koper and fond son-in-law of the late Margaret Kane; Ray began his career in 1953 as an insurance broker at Bowes & Company (now part of Aon Corporation) and retired as CEO in 1988; he met Rosemary, the love of his life, in high school, and married her after the war; their 71 year marriage was a testament to their epic love story; in equal measures, he was proud of his Catholic faith, his Irish heritage and his service to our country; Ray was our true compass; he was the consummate host: he loved to gather and have a good drink, to eat, to laugh and to dance, and to make sure that everyone around him did the same; he was dearly loved, and will be dearly missed.
The family would like to acknowledge with gratitude the staff at Cedar Lake Assisted Living who provided kind and compassionate care to Raymond and Rosemary during the last several years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Raymond’s memory to Journey Care Foundation at journeycare.org, or St. Joseph’s Home/Little Sisters of the Poor at https://littlesistersofthepoorpalatine.weshareonline.org. or 80 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL 60067.
Mr. White, and he’ll always be Mr. White to me, hired me to be his secretary many years ago. We were a good team. He was the ultimate professional…wore a 3-piece suit and starched cuffed shirts every day, and was a role model of fairness, generosity and faithfulness to all. He provided me with opportunities to take on more challenges which I eagerly took on. We had a lot of laughs over the years, and I enjoyed pulling his leg on many an occasion. Rosie was “his bride” whenever he spoke of her. They were the sweetest couple, and again, great role models. RJW, as I wrote on all my papers, will always live in my heart and memories. I know he’s dancing in heaven, Rosie in his arms, and listening to Englebert Humperdinck croon “After the Loving.”
I have such fond memories of Mr. and Mrs. White or “Ray and Rosie” over the past many years! It gave me so much pleasure to watch Ray and Rosie dance together! My parents, Bob and Rita sure loved them also. They (I always think of them together) will be sorely missed. Now they are together again! XOXO
Mine is one of the many lives touched by Ray over the years. He was my first boss, and handily the best boss I ever had. Always cheerful and full of Irish whimsy, it was a joy to work for him. He would call me Lucille and, although it was not my function, he said it was a good secretary’s name, and it made me feel special. Above all, he treasured his family, and I believe his wife Rosie was his greatest joy. To borrow a phrase – they don’t make ’em like that anymore – and I was blessed to have known him. May you rest in peace, RJW.
A Great Man! Great Friend! Rest In Peace Mr. White
So many GREAT memories of Ray and Rosie at The White House on 1109! You were so loving to all around you. You instilled so many of your great family values and character on your family. In them, your love and values will be carried on for generations to come. So happy for the good times I’ve had the pleasure and honor of sharing with you, not to mention, breakfast. You have a lot to be proud of. Truly, a great man!
Rest in peace, Ray.
So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. May your memories of him bring you peace and comfort.
Sincerely,
Diana and Jeff Soman
I first met Ray in London,England where I was employed as a Property Broker. During one of Ray’s business trips to London, Ray asked me to give him a call if I ever moved back to Chicago. He wanted to discuss a broker position at Bowes & Company with me.
As it turned out I joined Bowes and Ray was one of the best bosses I ever had.
I feel very blessed to have known RJW.
May you rest in peace Ray.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the White family.
Mr White was always very courteous towards me and always extended his utmost hospitality whenever I had the pleasure to meet him.
He leaves behind a wonderful loving family as his legacy, which he can look upon from above with immense pride. Rest in Peace.
Such a lovely man , such a lovely couple , their longevity is what dreams are made of . Reunited in heaven where Rosie will be waiting with open arms is what they deserve .
Sorely missed by the family and by all our family in UK and Germany.
We were welcomed into the family and spent many happy times in their home and in their company .It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of it and to have known Ray and Rosie
Sincere condolences
Fran and Neil Hudson