Bruce James White, 79, died after a long battle with heart disease on Jan. 19, 2023.
He began his career in education as a teacher at St. Anthony High School before working for Mercer County Technical Schools, where he served as principal at both the Assunpink and Sypek centers before retiring in 2001. Throughout his career, he was an active member of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association.
An active member of the community, he served on the Ewing Board of Education for more than 30 years before retiring in 2020. He was also a proud member of the Ewing Kiwanis Club for decades, holding many leadership positions, including chair of Safety Town and president of the Ewing Kiwanis Scholarship Foundation. Over the years, he belonged to other community organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police and the Village of the Green Association.
On its website, the Ewing Township Board of Education posted a message that reads in part, “Mr. White was an integral part of our current Referendum ’18 Project and earlier Referendum projects in the early 2000’s to create a safe learning environment for all. After his retirement from the Board of Education, he continued to support the children of our schools and parent organizations by working with the Ewing Kiwanis to help fund school Book Fairs throughout the district so ‘no child was left behind’ … Up until three weeks ago, he shared information about a poster contest for our 5th grade students. Always thinking about the children and giving them an opportunity to participate, if they would like to.”
One of the things he most enjoyed was early mornings, the message reads. “You could catch Bruce out front of his home in the Village of the Green at the crack of dawn tending to his lawn and landscape, or catch him in his front window reading the many newspapers delivered to his home, always keeping current with local and world events. Starting his days early, you might run into him at the Home Depot or find him at the Golden Nugget Flea market on Wednesday, Saturdays and Sundays sharing a coffee, a few tidbits and, without a doubt, a joke with various dealers. There was possibly the making of a deal or two, being Bruce was an antique proprietor and a collector. But his passion was education, equal education for all. He wanted us all to join him in creating a vibrant Ewing Township community, the place where he grew up, raised his family, and continued to support, until his passing.” The message concludes, “Bruce, thank you for your service and commitment to the Ewing Public Schools. You will be missed greatly.”
According to White’s obituary, he was a lifelong Ewing resident and the son of Paul Oliver and Verna Dorothy (Geddes) White. He attended Ewing public schools, graduating from Ewing High in 1961. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgetown College in Kentucky and a master’s in education from Rider College.
In addition to his parents, Paul and Verna, he is predeceased by his wife, Sheila Pritchard White of Ewing Township.
He is survived by his two loving daughters and their families; Rebecca Crockett and Sayan Bhattacharyya of Jersey City and Sarah Meisenzahl, her husband Brian, and his adored grandsons, Charles and Andrew of Williston, Vermont. He is also survived by his loving sister and brother, Joan White Boothby and Kenneth P. White, as well as his brother-in-law, Paul F. Pritchard and his sisters-in law, Anne White, Janice P. Rockmore and Margaret Shaw. He was ‘Uncle Bruce’ to many nieces and nephews, their children, and a cousin and friend to many.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in White’s name to the charity of the donor’s choice. Visit his tribute page to leave condolences.
You can also read an article in The Community News about White and what he meant to the Ewing Township Board of Education.