It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frederick Andrew Webster White, or Ted, on the morning of June 1st 2021, while recuperating in hospital. He moved on in one of the best possible ways... painlessly in his sleep, and for this, we are very grateful. Ted was 87 years old.
A small private service will be held at the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery on Tuesday, 8 June.
Ted was a competitor. At the age of 63, he won the Gold Medal in single sculls rowing at the Amsterdam Cup in the Master’s Class in the Netherlands. Then he continued to kayak, bicycle and mega-tricycle up until he was 86!
Ted was a flyboy. His whole life. He started his career flying jets off aircraft carriers! He flew for the Royal Canadian Navy, and was posted to the Americans and the British navies flying fighter aircraft. He ended his career at the top of the game as a Captain for Air Canada. In 1963, he volunteered as a test subject at the Johnsville Centrifuge, in Pennsylvania, which contributed to medical research for the NASA space program.
Ted was a fighter. In 1977, he was the first commercial airline pilot in the world to be fully reinstated after triple bypass heart surgery. He got himself back in such good shape that he excelled in the Bruce protocol, which was used to measure Olympic athletes. At the age of 49, 7 years after his first heart operation, he completed the Montreal Marathon and finished in the top 25% and a few years later completed the Gatineau Loppet (Keskinada) 35km cross country ski race.
Ted was a coach. He has an ice hockey goalie trophy named after him in the North Shore Hockey League of Montreal for helping to mould the next Ken Drydens.
Ted was a DIY King, and the builder of a magic oasis-patio on which he was the Barbecue Master on so many memorable nights.
He met an amazing flygirl named Rita, who grounded him to create a family who loved him, and whom he loved.
Ted is survived by his wife Rita Olivier White, his three children, Suzanne, Mark and Andrew, his grandchildren, McGregor and Hudson on the West Coast, by Sia and Calvin in Denmark and by his brother Patrick.
We all miss you very much, Ted... Dad... Papa.
Please make any donations to the War Amps of Canada.
Digital Guestbook
Kimba MacLean
Roy, Suzie and Shawna Fraser
Our sincere condolences to my big sister Rita, niece Suzanne, nephew Mark, nephew Andrew, grandsons McGregor, Hudson, and Calvin and granddaughter Sia. Ted was not only a great man, a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather but also a wonderful brother-in-law. His lifetime accomplishments speak for themselves but Ted was also a man who was always interested in others. When we showed up on our Harley-Davidson to visit, he would ask myriad questions about the bike and did the same when we later arrived on our Harley 3-wheeled trike. Before my retirement from the transport industry, I ended up giving him a crash course on trucking... and you had to be prepared to answer specific questions. With Ted, you always felt that life was an ongoing education and we always felt singled out by his special interest in us. He was beloved by all and will be sorely missed. Much love to everyone in the family and our deepest sympathy for your loss.
steve hills
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Uncle Ted. Love, sympathy, and sincere condolences to Aunt Rita and the entire White family
Claire and Guy Carriere ( Niece )
Auntie Rita and family, our sincere condolences for Uncle Ted’s passing. Uncle Ted, while he appeared serious always played the straight guy! While distance kept us apart, I recall his jogging over to our house while on lay-over and having a few too many drinks with Dad .... they sure did get along well! Of course he was always driven back to his hotel! We enjoyed those drop-in visits! Take care of each other!
Nola Poirier
I am so sorry for your loss. Uncle Ted was our favourite. We always had such a good time whenever we saw him — and your whole family. He was funny and charming and powerfully competitive. Sending my love to you all. Xo
Andre Prefontaine
Have fond memories of spending time with Uncle Ted at the tall ships in Quebec City where we enjoyed his and the families company as well as attending the Formula 1 races in Montreal . He was very disillusioned when I informed him that I hated flying and usually ended up sick... A quiet, reserved, but very funny man who kept active and really lived life long after most would have slowed down. His skills and accomplishments were many and varied. My condolences and prayers to the entire White family.
Guy Préfontaine
Dear Matante Rita, Cousins Suzanne, Mark and Andrew,
Please accept our most sincere condolences on the passing of our beloved Mononcle Ted. Uncle Ted was truly awesome and definitely one-of-a-kind. We are all so blessed to have had him in our lives. As a boy, I was thrilled beyond measure when he would let me try on his flight jacket and spending literally hours sitting in his office pretending to be a fighter pilot, toggling the armament fire buttons on the joystick that his crew cut off his Voodoo and mounted on a wood base. So much better than X-Box. As an adult, I got to appreciate his keen and limitless sense of humour on the wonderful occasions when the Whites came to Winnipeg (like my sister Lise's wedding). Many stories where created that night!!!! He will be missed, but is now flying higher than ever.
Love and prayers to you all from, Guy, Margaret, Alexandre and Camille Préfontaine, Winnipeg, MB
Connor
Ted was a lovely man with a dry sense of humour and a warm heart. I always enjoyed our infrequent discussions on hockey, and his dedication to keeping active, even at an advanced age was simply remarkable. He will certainly be missed by the many people he touched over a very eventful life.
Jean Markanen
To Rita, Suzanne, Mark, Andrew, and all Ted’s grandchildren. He was a good friend, a good neighbour, a wonderful athlete, and lots of fun. Please accept my sympathies in your loss.
Diana White
I first met Ted when he flew to Prestwick in Scotland and Patrick and I were in medical school. I thought it was exciting to meet a real pilot!!
Over the years, despite living at opposite ends of Canada, we have crossed paths many times, but my fondest memories are when he flew regularly to Victoria in the 80's and he connected meaningfully with our young family. Our kids even got to sit in the cockpit!!
Despite all his medical challenges along the way, he certainly led a very long and full life, and I agree it was a wonderful way to pass on, quietly in his sleep.
My heartfelt condolences go to Rita, Suzanne, Mark and Andrew.
My sincere condolences to the White family who I have a special connection with. I will definitely miss our conversations. Please accept my sympathy.