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
Shawna Fraser
Lise Malenfant
Dear Matante Rita, Suzanne, Mark and Andrew, please accept our most sincere condolences. Mononcle Ted led a full life and was very accomplished, yet he remained humorous and caring. Yes, he had us all laughing at our wedding and he made me feel very special when on my first flight he met Mom and I and after an obligatory drink, walked us right up to our gate (in the fun times before all the regulations). He had a special way about him and will be missed. Lise and Normand
Penny and Karl
We will miss Ted immensely. His stories, his tools, his DIY projects, his biking, his athleticism.....did I mention his stories? Ted was a remarkable fellow. A good friend and a great neighbour. Quinton street will never be the same...though...I think the spectre of the tricycle will remain in our memories for a very long time. May you eternally face clear skies calm seas and a strong tailwind. Bon voyage Cap'n !
Julie Préfontaine (nièce)et Claude Martin
Matante Rita, Suzanne, Mark et Andrew. Nos plus sincères condoléances à vous tous. J’ai des très bons souvenirs de Uncle Ted et de nos visites ensemble alors qu’on vous a visité de Winnipeg(campé dans la cours) et vos visites à Winnipeg. Plus tard on a eu le plaisir de se voir un peu plus étant dans la belle Province avec vous. Mon oncle Ted était un homme passionné qui avait un éthique de travail et de sport hors du commun! Je lui souhaite un beau repos mais je suis certaine qu’il est déjà bien installé à ramer sur un nuage dans la mer bleu du ciel ! Encore, nos sympathies.
Doug Clarke
Dear Rita,
I just wanted to express my condolences to you and your family. I also want to let you know that my mom and dad, Harold and Doris, wanted me to pass on their condolences as well.
Our thoughts are with you.
Doug
Agnès Préfontaine (Rita's Sister)
Guy, my son is sending this on my behalf.
Dear Little Sister, niece Suzanne and nephews Mark and Andrew, Please accept my personal prayers and heartfelt love for you all during this time of loss and grief. Ted was a very special person to us all. While we were living down east, we had a chance to get together more often. What a blessing. As couples, Ted and my Jules would get into such antics whenever they got together that it would make Rita and I blush. I think they got a real kick out of teasing us girls, just to see our reactions. Ted always had a way of making us all laugh with his witticisms and expressions. From his jovial nature, you would never think how serious and determined a fellow he was, but he was. He was a perfectionist in all that he did. As an aunt, I see a lot of that strong, proud, individualistic character reflected in each of his children. In very different ways to be sure, but it is there. What a gift to receive. I hope that you will all find a way to heal and remember the good times spent in his company. I know that I will. Good Bless, Aggie
Lara Theoret
Suzanne and family,
While I never met your father, reading about him, I can see where your energy, determination and enthusiasm comes from! I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending love ❤️
Chick and Diane OLIVIER
Hi Rita, So sorry to hear of Ted’s passing. Thinking of you and family at this sad time.
Pat Jasmin
My sincere condolences to entire White family.
Ted White was my goaltending coach in DDO for several years. In my eyes he was a great man; and he taught me life lessons on and off the ice that I still value today.
I've been looking for Ted for a long time to say thank you. He was a lead by example type of guy, I am deeply saddened that I have found this news today.
Regards,
Pat Jasmin
p
ted and I were class mates at Ravenscourt and at Royal Roads, and we both flew airplanes for the Queen , a long worthwhile relationship ; Ted was good at whatever he did ; though I never saw him play the piano 1 1
Deepest condolences Matante, Suzanne, Mark, Andrew and little cousins. This is a very sad moment he was an amazing man! Keeping very good memories of him. Lots of love to all of you. xoxoxo