Gerald A. White
1934 – 2022
Gerald “Jerry” White passed away on April 23rd 2022, at the age of 87, in his home on Marco Island, Florida. His ten-plus-year battle with Alzheimer’s showed his courage in facing life challenges with strength and determination.
As a young man, Jerry began to excel by mastering chemical engineering at Villanova University, which he attended on an ROTC scholarship. He became a Navy pilot and served our country for five years. In the early 1960’s he joined a small industrial gas company in Allentown, PA, called Air Products, where he built a 40-year career and ultimately retired as Chief Financial Officer. Along the way, he served his community as the first lay Chairman of DeSales University from 1988 to 2005 and as Chairman of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of The United Way.
Jerry met the love of his life, Mary Alice “Topsy” Turvey, while a senior at Villanova. They were married shortly after graduation and started their journey together by moving to Pensacola FL for flight school. Together they raised four children, Kevin, Patti, Tim, and Megan, and were blessed with 14 wonderful grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. In addition to their main home in Center Valley, they enjoyed time on Long Beach Island and Marco Island where they had residences.
Jerry is survived by his children, Kevin White, Patti Vanin, and Tim White, his siblings Tom White, Kathy Trabucco, and Marylin Strigaro.
Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, May 4 from 6-8 pm at Bachman Kulik Reinsmith funeral home at 1629 Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18102. On Thursday, May 5 at 9 am will be a visiting hour at St. Joseph’s Church, 5050 St. Josephs Rd, Coopersburg, PA 18036, followed by a burial mass at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund or Vitas Hospice.