Charles E. White, Jr.

        Charles Edward White, Jr., 65, of Gore, Virginia, died Sunday, February 17, 2013, in his home.

Mr. White was born in 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Charles E. and Madeline White.  He was a builder, Artisan, and bee keeper.  Mr. White was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), the Lions Club in Connecticut and Gainesboro Volunteer Fire and Rescue.  He was a Veteran having served in the United States Navy.

He and his wife, Karen, volunteered in Vietnam, carrying medical supplies and corneas for transplantation, serving with the IOOF for 12 years.

Mr. White was “Santa Claus” for many children in Winchester and Frederick County.  He was “Santa” for the Salvation Army, Harpers Ferry, Jay Dee’s Family Fun Center in Inwood and Gainesboro Fire Hall’s “Breakfast with Santa”.  He delivered toys to children from a fire truck through the Christmas Always program. Through his church, he visited private family homes spreading the spirit of Santa.

He married Karen Rose Vito on October 4, 1997, in Rumney, New Hampshire.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Kristen Tong of Islamarada, Florida, Dawn Vivian of Santa Fe, New Mexico; sons, Charles Edward White, III and wife, Laura, of Bethel, Connecticut and Michael White of Connecticut; four grandchildren, Samuel Vivian, Grace Vivian, Colin White and Madelyn White.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Bethel Lutheran Church with Reverend Dr. David Young and Rev. Joseph Cervero officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the “Christmas Always” fund with Gainesboro Fire and Rescue, 221 Gainesboro Road, Winchester, Virginia  22603 or Bethel Lutheran Church, 2077 North Frederick Pike, Winchester, Virginia  22603.