Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. White celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on July 2, 2009 with a Mass of Thanksgiving at Blessed Sacrament Chapel that morning. The couple was married on this date at St. John the Evangelist Church, Syracuse in 1949 by Virginia’s uncle, Father Paul L. Hemmer (deceased from our diocese) with the wish that “one day they might fill a pew.” Well, that did happen, as you will see!
Robert (Bob) graduated from R.P.I. in Troy and is a retiree of Niagara Mohawk. Virginia (Ginnie) graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing and is a homemaker of many years. Bob was always a dedicated husband and father, but also found time to be of service to others. He was an active member of Birthright, Syracuse Right to Life, A.R.C., St. Vincent de Paul Society, Holy Name Society of Blessed Sacrament, Nocturnal Adoration Society, Parents Guilds both at Bishop Ludden and Bishop Grimes, Special Education Parents Board, American Legion Boy Scout Troop #26 and W.A.F. Blue Army Diocesan Council.
Ginnie was a member of some of these organizations and also Eastwood Mothers Study Group and Blessed Sacrament Altar Society, doing mostly the “behind the scenes work” as her love was, and is, the caring of her family and the needs of others.
Bob played tennis for many years and enjoyed golf after retirement, besides working in their vegetable garden and keeping their bushes sculpted around the yard. Ginnie, too, enjoys working in the gardens and yard.
Their greatest blessings are their 11 children. James (Joanie, deceased) of Texas, Mary (husband Dave) Morgan of Liverpool, Helen (husband Andrew) of Va., Leighton, Mary Gerarde (friend Beth Regan) of Conn., John (wife Michelle) of N.C., Thomas of Syracuse, Peter (wife Harriet) of Md. and Manlius, Paul (wife Lorraine) of Liverpool, Lt. Col. Andrew (wife Kim) of Washington, D.C. and Ohio, Maritherese (husband James) of N.C. and Mark of Syracuse. They have 23 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Activities are planned by their children, as they began to arrive for the weekend before the anniversary through the July 4th holiday. A memorable time for sure — Bob just wanted a “quiet” celebration!
“We can never thank God enough for our many gifts and blessings!”
