Marcus White

Marcus White of Orford NH and Longmeadow MA died peacefully on February 28, 2025. At the time of his passing, his beloved wife of 72 years, Joan, was by his side as were his three children, Marc, Liza, and Will. Marc was born in New Britain, CT on May 10, 1929, to Richard White and Catriona Cole White. He graduated from Westminster School in Simsbury CT and then from Harvard College in 1951 and the Harvard Business School in 1955. All of his alma maters held a place in his heart and he participated in alumni gatherings for all three educational institutions throughout his life. Marc served in the US Coast Guard during the Korean War. This was followed by 42 years in corporate development where he became a specialist in international mergers and acquisitions. His talents in this field led to a professional life that found him conducting business in over 40 countries around the globe. Marc retired as Director of Worldwide Strategic Planning for Emhart Inc and prior to that, he held strategic growth and planning positions at Texon Inc. and The Dexter Corporation. After leaving the corporate world Marc and Joan moved to Orford NH and lived on their “family farm” occupying a 200-year-old farmhouse that had been in Marc’s family for three generations. Here Marc was truly at home and was able to indulge his lifelong passion, the love of the natural world. He was an ardent steward of the land under his protection and it was here that he was able to demonstrate his uncanny gift for animals. A few ‘more than tame but still wild’ chipmunks could be found sitting by his computer as he worked. His passion for the land and all the species on it enchanted his seven grandchildren, all of whom thought their grandfather was the original Dr. Doolittle. Marc’s talents with the natural world were also seen daily for visitors of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness NH where he served as a docent and the VINS Raptor Center in Quechee VT where he volunteered. After moving to Glenmeadow and despite being well into his 90s, Marc continued to enjoy and document the natural world. He could be found every morning in “the meadows” observing and he would eagerly share his findings to other naturalists and bird watchers living in Glenmeadow. Marc is survived by his wife Joan and his three children; Marcus III (Tracey) of Northfield IL, Elizabeth White Ozzano of Darien CT and Nicholas William (Lisa) of Jackson NH. Marc is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Jack (Katy) White, Alex (Cece) White, Matt (Rosie) White, Jamie (Kady) Ozzano and Julia (Vince) Carlucci, along with Micah and Caleb White. He also leaves two lifelong friends in sister Elizabeth Love of So. Windsor CT and cousin Jeanne Host of Greenwich CT. Additionally, he is survived by five small people who he claimed, “made him ‘The Great’” - Piper Lee Ozzano (“the gal who made him Great”), Charlie White, Kit White, Wattley White (legally known as Marcus White IV), and Camilla (“Magnificent Millie”) Carlucci. Marc was eagerly looking forward to the addition of great number 6 next month. Until his death Marc sent out daily emails to his family reviewing the day's political and sports events. He had become an avid fan of WNBA and was a card-carrying member of the Caitlin Clark fan club. He ended each email proudly, sending his love to “all 22.5 of you”. A celebration of Marc’s life will be held this summer on his farm in Orford NH. Donations can be made to the Orford Libraries in Orford NH, The Storrs Library in Longmeadow, MA, The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness NH or the Zoo at Forest Park, Springfield MA 01138. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Marc’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy.