Remembering Jack White
In addition to Jack Reed, the late Jack White was among the distinguished Rhode Islanders inducted on Saturday into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. Those of us who were fortunate enough to know Jack (shown above with his wife, Beth) know how he was devoted first and foremost to his family, to first-class journalism, and to his love of baseball and hockey. During the induction ceremony at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Beth White spoke eloquently of how she and Jack met at Boston University (not far from Fenway Park) and how his face lit up when he learned that she, too, was from Rhode Island.
The folks at Channel 12 were kind enough to invite me to the induction ceremony, and as I sat talking with some of Jack's former colleagues, including Glenn Laxton and Joan Moran, we were reminded of how much we miss him.
During her comments, Beth White introduced Jack and her four children -- including Tim White, who has admirably carried on his father's tradition in investigative reporting at WPRI. Those of us who knew Jack know how much pride he took in his family, and how he would roll out pictures of his grandchildren with the slightest bit of prodding.
He would be excited, it's safe to say, about the newest arrival, Dylan John White, who arrived yesterday morning. Kudos and congrats to his proud parents, Tim and Melissa.