James E. White, 79, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at HealthAlliance Leominster Hospital after an illness. He was born in Worcester, the son of Theodore C. and Elizabeth M. (O’Brien) White.

His loving wife of 34 years, Dorothea L. (Bassios) White, passed away in 1998. He leaves two sons, Gary F. White of Southbridge and Steven J. White of Sterling; two brothers, William J. White and his wife, Virginia of Cape Cod and Thomas F. White and his wife, Barbara of West Boylston; two sisters, H. Dennis Harrington and her husband, Phillip of Ludlow and Joan P. Conrad and her husband, Richard of Holden; three grandchildren, Hunter James, Emily Dorothea and Kylie Kendall White; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

James was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a manager for many years at several well-known area restaurants before retiring about 20 years ago. He was a proud member of AA, and recently celebrated 37 years of sobriety. He loved speaking at meetings and served as a mentor to dozens of others over the years, helping them get their lives back in order. James was the head coach of the boys and girls soccer teams at Holy Name High School in Worcester for over a decade. He also coached with the Sterling Youth Soccer. He was a great husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend to so many who knew him. He valued family, loyalty and honesty above all, and was a shining example of all three. He will be greatly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mr. White’s family on Sunday, Dec. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 21 at 11 a.m. in the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Memorial contributions may be made to National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.