Joseph Francis White

Joseph Francis White, 70, of New Port Richey, FL, passed away peacefully, September 12, 2018. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Benjamin H White and Mary A Ezzo on August 1, 1948. At the age of 8, he and his family moved to Coquina Key in St. Petersburg, FL. Joe graduated from St Petersburg High School and soon after enlisted into the Air Force. He protected our country from 1971 to 1974, and at the end of his service was granted admission to the University of Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Joe had multiple jobs and skills. He worked for Honeywell, the Children and Family Department for the State of Florida, Acosta Inc., he ran his own cleaning business and worked as a car mechanic. He was well known for his green thumb and had a wonderful talent for growing Bromeliads, Christmas Cactus and Bamboo plants.

He met his fiancée Karen McDermott in 2004 and they have shared beautiful memories ever since. Together they enjoyed motorcycle riding, raising their plants, fishing, going to the beach, and having a pool day.

Joe loved his plants, the Florida Gators, and his Siberian Husky’s: Klondike, Juno, and best buddy Thor.

He is survived by his fiancée, Karen L McDermott; brothers, Richard J White and Benjamin H White Jr; sons; Sean H White, Anthony White, Chris White and Joe White Jr; daughter, Ashley White; grandchildren: Gage Harrison White, Brody White and Korie White; and several nieces and nephews.

Joe will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

“DO NOT GRIEVE … I AM SAFETY HOME”

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;

Oh, so HAPPY and so BRIGHT!

There is perfect JOY and BEAUTY in this Everlasting Light.

All the PAIN and GRIEF is over,

Every Restless tossing passed;

I am Now at PEACE forever,

Safely home in HEAVEN at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly

Trod the valley of the shade?

Oh!  But Jesus’ love illuminated

Every DARK and FEARFUL glade.

And He came HIMSELF to meet me

In that way so HARD to tread;

And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,

Could I have one doubt or dread?

YOU MUST NOT GRIEVE so solely,

For I LOVE YOU DEARLY still.

Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,

Pray to trust our FATHER’s WILL.

There is WORK still waiting for YOU,

So YOU must not idly stand;

Do it NOW, while LIFE remaineth.

You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When that work is ALL completed,

He will gently call YOU Home;

Oh, the rapture of OUR meeting,

Oh, the JOY to see YOU come!

Forever TOGETHER Safely Home in HEAVEN at Last!

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