On Sunday, May 26th, 2013, James Patrick "Pat" White of Hermitage emerged victorious from life on earth and went home to be with his Lord and Savior. After 84 years dedicated to faith, family, friends and country, he is whole once more in the Kingdom of Heaven, preceded by his parents, Charles and Grace Scanlon White, and two brothers, Edward and Kenneth. Pat was a devout Catholic, a Cursillista and a member of St. Joseph's Church, Sharon. He was an extraordinary individual; resilient, even in the face of adversity and illness. He was a classic, elegant gentleman with great character, whose undeniable good looks and boyish charms were only eclipsed by the size of his heart. Born on April 26, 1929, Pat was one of 11 children. He was a 1948 graduate of Sharpsville High School, where he made friendships that would last him the rest of his life. He never missed a class reunion and attended monthly Saturday breakfasts with alumni. Pat was enrolled at Youngstown College, now Youngstown State University, for a brief time before joining the Navy in 1948. He served as a hospital corpsman at Bethesda (Md.) National Naval Medical Center for three years and with the Marine Corps during the Korean conflict for one year. During his military experience, he tried out for the New York Giants. He was invited to come back for an additional tryout when he finished his service, but was unable to due to the Korean conflict. Pat was a talented athlete and a lifelong fan of sports. In high school, he played baseball, basketball and football; as a junior in 1946, he quarterbacked Sharpsville's football team to a perfect season. He coached boys basketball for seven years at Sacred Heart Parochial Grade School, Sharon, served as president of the Sacred Heart boosters club and was a lay moderator for sports activities in the Erie Diocese for nine years. At age 45, he became a PIAA basketball official and officiated nearly 2,500 games over 32 years. He was a PIAA football official for six years, an excellent bowler and, most notoriously, an exceptional golfer. Pat was employed as a driver/salesman for Brookfield Dairy, as well as a salesman for Damon Chemical. He established Pat White Janitorial Services, which expanded into carpet cleaning and sales. Most recently, he worked as a Realtor for ERA Real Estate and as a consultant for Free Life International. In 1982, Pat was elected to the Hermitage board of commissioners, a position he held for 22 years. He was an integral part in the Hickory Township recovery efforts, leading to the inception of the City of Hermitage in 1985. He helped build infrastructure and worked on safe environmental practices, including the closing of the River Road Landfill. He traveled to the nation's capital to meet with the postmaster general to request a zip code for the city. He said, "[when] I drive through our city, I take great pride of what has been accomplished." In addition to his time as commissioner, Pat served on the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission, the Solid Waste Authority, County Private Industry Council, the Resolutions Committee of the Pennsylvania League of Cities, and the National League of Cities and Council of Governments. It was not uncommon for him to serve on eight or nine committees at the same time because he was willing to "go the extra mile." He was a member of the Sharon Lions Club, Hermitage Kiwanis Club and Knights of Columbus, and was on the board of directors for Pro-Life of Mercer County. Pat had a voice that rivaled his musical heroes, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Perry Como. He was a charter member of the Shenango Valley Chorale, singing for 17 years with his wife. He would wake his children with a song every morning and sing his grandchildren to sleep with a lullaby. He loved being serenaded by his family and would often request that his grandchildren sing an a capella version of a song called "Grandpa." "Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days" they would sing. Pat would never miss an opportunity to tell them, or anyone for that matter, a story. He had an exceptional memory and was a passionate speaker and writer. For the past 16 years, he wrote a column for the Senior Shopper called "From the White House," and he loved working from his very own "oval office" each day. But of all his many great loves, it was his family that he loved and cherished the most. In 1953, he met Sally Lou Jewell, a meeting to which he would refer as "destiny." After dating for two years, they married in 1955 and would have celebrated their 58th anniversary this July. They raised three daughters together and helped raise 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They were his true passion. He instilled within them a strong faith, a hard-work ethic. He is survived by his wife, Sally Lou Jewell White; three daughters, Deidra Duleba, Sharon; Darla Bequeath, Mercer; and Diane Brown and her husband Scott, Hermitage; 10 grandchildren, Carrie Anderson and her husband Josh; Colleen Engelmore and her husband Brian; Erin Davis and her fiancé Shane Avnet; Kylie Davis; Ilana Dixon and her husband Woody; Ian, Laura and Levi Bequeath; and Malia and Maura Brown; and four great-grandchildren, Ryleigh and Reagann Anderson; and Natalie and Ethan Engelmore. In addition, he is also survived by his siblings, Kathleen Kimmel, Jeanette Moreale, Francis Eugene White, Betty Lou and Ray Fess, Eileen and John Puhl, Elaine and Jack Urchek, Nancy and Bob Scott, and Rita Smith; a sister-in-law, Eleanor White; and 59 nieces and nephews, all of whom loved and admired him. "I've had a full ride," he said. "And I have enjoyed every minute of it." Pat had a beautiful life. And if there is such a thing as a beautiful death, Pat had that, too; wrapped in the arms of his wife and surrounded by the people he loved. Never did his hands go unheld. Never a foot unrubbed or a cheek unkissed. Never did the words "I love you," "I'm here for you" or "Thank you" go unspoken. And with tears, there was laughter, and there was song. "How do you measure a year in a life?" his family sang to him in his final hours, "Measure your life in love." Pat lived a life overflowing with love, and he will forever be a part of those who loved him. Memorial contributions can be made to Pro-Life of Mercer County, Box 885, Sharon, PA 16146. Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today (5-29-13) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon, with the Rosary recited at 8 p.m. by Knights of Columbus. Service: Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Thursday (5-30-13) in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor, as celebrant. Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage.