Philip White

Philip White, formerly of Callicoon Center, Kew Gardens, and Commack, NY, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Fishkill Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. He was 88. Born on April 17, 1929 in NYC, Philip was the second son born to Celia Simon and Morris White. After graduating from Dewitt Clinton High School, he volunteered and served in the US Army during WWII. Thanks to the GI Bill, he was the first college graduate in his family, having earned a B.S. in Education from SUNY New Paltz in 1952. Affectionately known as Big Phil, he and his college sweetheart, Dorothy Woerner White, married the following year, and Phil began his teaching career. After completing his M.S. in Education from Hofstra University, he earned his Ed.D. in Science Education from Columbia University in 1970. Dr. Whites teaching career spanned 4 decades, touching the lives of many people, from fourth-graders in Elwood, NY, to college students at LIU Southampton and CUNY Queens College, and in-service teachers and colleagues. He established and proudly served as the first director of the Queens College Center for Environmental Teaching and Research at Caumsett State Park on Long Island until his retirement in 1991. Between 1959 and 1971, Phil studied at various universities in the U.S., enriching the lives of his loving wife Dorothy and their four children as they traveled with him in a 1957 Plymouth station wagon, exploring and adventuring throughout the Continental U.S. Phil was active in Boy Scout Troop 403 in Commack, NY with his three sons, and equally supportive of his daughters Girl Scout activities. Through Scouting, he thoroughly enjoyed hiking, camping, and canoeing with each of his four children. Phil was a bright, creative man with a wonderful sense of humor, who loved international travel, singing, reading and reciting poetry, and working with his hands creating silver jewelry and stained-glass objects, carpentry projects, and gardening. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Woerner White of Fishkill, NY; son Dr. Mark White and Kimberly Griffin White of Panama City, FL; daughter Janice White Greenop and Richard Greenop of Fishkill, NY; son David White of Atlanta, GA; son Matthew White and Dr. Jenny Acosta-White of Saugerties, NY; grandsons Eric Greenop of Portland, OR, Jace White of Queens, NY, Adam Greenop of Fishkill, NY, Jonathan White and Derek White of Saugerties, NY; sister-in-law Joan White of Monroe, NY; and nephew Michael White of Holland, MI. Philip White was predeceased by his parents, and, in 1989 by his beloved older brother, Sidney White. In lieu of flowers, the family requests the donation of a poetry book, inscribed in Philip Whites memory, to any public library. Alternatively, donations to Hudson Valley Hospice or American Heart Association are also appreciated. Graveside services officiated by Rabbi Z. Sandhaus will be conducted on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Glendale, NY. at 11:00am. Condolence calls are welcome on Monday, March 12, 2018 between the hours of 2pm and 8pm at the home of Dorothy White, and Janice and Richard Greenop in Fishkill, NY. Shiva will be observed on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 from 6-8 pm at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation. Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.