WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  After a long and happy life, Williamstown resident Peter White died on Saturday, May 31st, at Berkshire Medical Center. He was 100 years old, and, to the last, faced the world with a smile; his energy and enthusiasm were infectious.

Peter Joseph White, Jr. was born on October 6, 1924 in New York City, to Peter Joseph White and Mary Anastasia Kelly White. He, his sister Marianne, and their parents lived on West 34th Street, and spent summers on Long Island. It was there that he and Marianne contracted polio. They regained their health, but this early experience shaped Peter's strong resolve. He was exceptional in whatever he set his mind to.

After an early graduation from Chaminade High School in January, 1942, a month after Pearl Harbor, Peter enrolled at Columbia University until he joined the Army, which sent him to Princeton University to study engineering under the Army Specialized Training Program. Following Officers Candidate School, he served in Europe until May, 1945, then boarded a troop ship headed for the Philippines. He was sent to Japan shortly after the end of the war and served as a JAG attorney there for ten months. Peter was promoted to First Lieutenant at the age of 20.

After returning stateside, Peter earned his law degree at Albany Law School where he helped edit the Law Review. His legal career took him to Wall Street and American Cyanamid, and as head of Venture Exploration Corporation, with offices in 30 Rock and a bird's eye view of the Rockefeller Christmas tree.

Service was a constant in Peter's life. In Williamstown, his two loves were the Williamstown Public Library and the American Legion. As chairman of the library board in the late '90s, Peter spearheaded the move from the Botsford House to the current Milne Library building. He twice negotiated with Williams College to buy the Legion headquarters, first one building on Spring Street and then its replacement. Peter helped change the landscape of Williamstown.

After moving to Berkshire County from Manhattan, Peter worked as a financial advisor until macular degeneration made him legally blind. For the past few years, he greatly enjoyed listening to audible books and keeping up the spirits of those around him. He joined the Legion Color Guard, and, with the help of his friend and fellow veteran Mike Kennedy, participated in dozens of military funerals. He served in many capacities at the Williamstown American Legion, including as Judge Advocate. They humorously renamed themselves Outpost White in honor of Peter’s many contributions to their financial stability.

Peter loved to be active -- skiing, swimming, sailing, hiking, and, especially, driving. He travelled widely throughout the United States and Europe, and twice visited both Japan and India. He toured China for five weeks as one of the few Americans allowed into the country before the death of Mao in 1976.

Peter was never without a book, especially those on ancient, medieval, and military history. Williams College gave him the opportunity to audit courses; he was delighted to be a college student again, in his 80s. Many will miss his warm, generous spirit and ready wit. One of his colleagues, when he learned of Peter's death, said simply: "I loved him." In addition to being loved, he was respected by all who knew him.

Peter White is survived by his wife Sally, and his children: Timothy White of Corvallis, Oregon; Dana Reeves of Amherst, New Hampshire; Samuel White of Williamstown; and Lucy Forde of Co. Meath, Ireland. Nine grandchildren: Peter, Heather, Alyssa, Caitlin, Tom, Mary, Margaret, Ita, and Aidan; and nine great-grandchildren: Kinder, Oren, Ada, Broderick, Finley, Matilda, Charles, Ernest, and Jacob. His nephews Frank and Peter Cullen were steadfast in their devotion to him. Peter was predeceased by his first wife Mary, his daughter Adrienne A. White, and his sister Marianne and her husband Frank Cullen.

He prayed for his family and friends every morning and evening.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Veterans Circle in Eastlawn Cemetery in Williamstown on July 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Williamstown Food Pantry or the Northern Berkshire EMS would be appreciated. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com