Obituary of Frank J. White

Canton, NY-

Frank J. White, 106, of Rushton Drive, Canton died Monday, August 19, 2024 at his home while under the care of dear friends and Hospice & Palliative Care.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, August 21 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Lawrence Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Canton.  His funeral will be  Thursday, August 22 at 10:30 AM at the funeral home with Rev. Bryan Stitt officiating.  Burial will follow in Hermon Cemetery.

Frank was born June 13, 1918 in Dickinson Center, NY and was a son of the late Lawrence J. and Ruth (Brosseau) White.  He started school at the District School in Hermon before graduating from Pyrites School.  He furthered his studies at Canton A.T.I. (SUNY Canton) in 1938.

Frank worked on the family farm just outside of Pyrites, where the Parker Family currently lives.  He then enlisted in the US Army on September 26, 1942 and served honorably until June 3, 1943 and was based at the Service Command Center in NYC.  Frank began his floral career in New Hartford, NY where he served an apprenticeship; then made his way back to the North Country working for Farrand’s Flowers in Ogdensburg.  In 1950 he started White’s Flowers on Miner Street in Canton, NY.  The building was originally a pool hall owned by the Connie Barr Family.  Frank owned and operated the shop until 1984, selling the business to Brenda and Mike Snow.

Frank was active in his community being a member of Canton Rotary Club for over 55 years where he served as Past president, had perfect attendance for 50 years and was active through Rotary with the Boy Scouts mentoring the art of canoeing.   He was also a member of the “Coffee Group” in Canton.  Some of his favorite gatherings were the “Coin Flip” and Scotch Night.

He was an active canoeist, competing in a number of Rushton Canoe Races and he also enjoyed riding his bike around town.

Frank and his wife Beulah enjoyed camping all the Provinces of Canada and 48 states in the USA.  He was an avid fly-fisherman, collector of duck decoys and model boat and ship builder many of which have been displayed at the Silas Wright House, TAUNY, Town Historian’s Office, SUNY Canton, St. Lawrence University and Carnegie Hall.  He studied New York history of boats, Indian canoes, Erie Canal barges and alike.

Frank is predeceased by his beloved wife Beulah who passed in December of 2011; his son Gary in 1999; three brothers Don, Robert and Harry White; and four sisters Betty, Carol, Celia and Linda.

He is survived by and number of nieces, nephews and cousins.