John C. White

John C. White, 79, of Frankfort, passed away, Tuesday, September 16, 2025, with his loving family by his side, after a valiant five-year battle with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).

John was born in Utica, August 2, 1946, a son of the late James and Loretta (Heim) White. He was educated in local schools and attended Notre Dame High School, but, was a 1965 graduate of Utica Free Academy. He later attended Fullerton Community College.

John was joined in marriage to the former Judith Jean “Judy” Stasaitis on September 20, 1969. John and Judy shared fifty loving years of marriage raising their family in California and here in the Utica area. His beloved Judy passed away on February 20, 2020.

To say John lived a life of adventure would be an understatement; he did it all. As a kid he was always an accomplished athlete, excelling in baseball, and was a member of the 1958 NYS Championship Little League Team, playing right field for King Cole Plaza. At one time, John was scouted by the Yankees, but, was unable to try out due to the early death of his dad. In later years, he was active in youth baseball and was past president of the South Utica Babe Ruth league.

John and his wife moved to California, where their children were born and he worked as an Orange County Sheriff from 1968 to 1979. He went on to attend stockbroker school, where he worked his way through school and provided for his family working the rodeo circuit. He rode a little bit, but his entrepreneur skills led him into selling western wear and he was well known in the circuit as “John Silver”.  Anybody that knew John could always pick him out of crowd, because of his signature cowboy hat. John was also a small engine pilot and had owned his own Cessna.

He began a career as a financial advisor in 1981, and originally worked for Northwestern Mutual, until he opened his own agency Financial Management Consulting, with his partner, Debra Betrus. They worked together for over thirty years until John retired in 2021.

A passionate golfer and well-known local PGA Professional who belonged to many clubs in the area, winning many club championships. Although he had belonged to different clubs, he always had a special attachment to his home club, Pine Hills Golf Course, in Frankfort.

John lived a full life and was a fantastic story teller; sometimes you would think they were too good to be true, but, believe it or not they really were true. He was a bigger than life person, who has been and always will be missed by his family and all who knew him.

John is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and Michael DiBrango, Tara White and Chad Tice; his son, James “Jim” White; grandchildren, James White, Michael DiBrango, John “Jack” DiBrango, and Declan Tice; a sister-in-law, Linda White; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jim and Jan Stasaitis, and Jamie and Rev. Ed Townsend; and also many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Judy; parents, James and Loretta; two brothers, James White and Gary White; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, James and Regina Stasaitis.

Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Pine Hills Golf Course, 247 Jones Road, Frankfort, NY 13340.

There will be a celebration of John’s life at the conclusion of calling hours at 6 p.m., with Rev. Joseph Salerno, officiating.

The family would like to offer their heartfelt gratitude to”Live long at home” for the care they took of John since the onset of his illness and also for the exceptional support and care of Hospice & Palliative Care and in recognition of this and in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice & Palliative Care at hospicecareinc.org or Alzheimer’s Research Association at alz.org.

Arrangements are with The Matt Funeral Home, Utica and obituary and online memorials can be posted and viewed at www.MattFuneralHome.com

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