Guestbook for Stephen T. White
view obituary | sign guestbook
March 4, 2024 | Phoebe Barnard - Mount Vernon, Washington -- USA
Dear Clare and Lisa,
I remember you all with fondness. I was Steve’s student at Bancroft from 1976-1979 and a good birding buddy of Mark’s. It’s beyond sad to think of a world without them both and I was so glad to rekindle a connection with Steve in 2019 at a school reunion. Liz Tsang (Johnson) and Steve had organized a writing prize for me in senior year and I felt in their company as though I’d won some version of the Nobel Prize. I miss him - wry and witty with tongue-in-cheek in the most understated way imaginable in an American high school. And I miss Mark, too - gentle and shy and funny about the sheer pleasure of walking in the woods and watching vireos. In three and a half decades in Africa I sometimes thought of these days at Bancroft and in Maine, an easy way to bring a smile to my face.
Love to both,
Phoebe Barnard
March 3, 2024 | Betsy Abeles Weiss - Worcester, MA -- United States
I loved Mr. White. He made me feel comfortable and challenged when I felt like a complete outsider transferring in grade 10 after losing my mom.
He gave me the gift of loving literature when I hadn’t previously. I always thought of him as my mentor and guide more than a teacher.
May his memory be a blessing to who love him.
March 3, 2024 | Betsy Abeles Weiss - Worcester, MA -- United States
I loved Mr. White. He made me feel comfortable and challenged when I felt like a complete outsider transferring in grade 10 after losing my mom.
He gave me the gift of loving literature when I hadn’t previously. I always thought of him as my mentor and guide more than a teacher.
May his memory be a blessing to who love him.
March 3, 2024 | Elizabeth Deliso - Alna, ME -- United States
A few weeks ago when I was sorting through my old correspondences, I found a typed letter from my favorite teacher of all time, Mr. White. He had sent it to me in 1996 after I had left Bancroft in favor of his wife's alma mater, The Putney School. I've attempted to keep apprised of his whereabouts through his wife's notes in the Putney Post, and when several years ago I realized we lived in the same area I thought about trying to arrange a visit. I'm sad that I didn't make it happen. My brothers also loved Mr. White, and we still speak of him fondly. He was a truly remarkable person who impacted all of us.
February 29, 2024 | Leif Erik Liland - Northglenn, CO, CO -- US
.
February 29, 2024 | Jen Fries - Cambridge, MA -- USA
Mr. White was a gentle and observant teacher. He encouraged thoughtful discussion in his classroom and introduced me to many authors that were new to me. I think of him whenever I use my dictionary, which was given to me as a "Brown Book Award" based on his nomination. I am sorry for your loss. He lives on in our memories.
February 29, 2024 | Kara Brownell - Woburn, Massachusetts -- USA
Mr. White was my teacher at Bancroft for my sophomore (which he always liked to remind us means "wise fool") year English and senior year elective Religion and Philosophy. He was an excellent teacher, and seemed to have boundless knowledge. I will never forget his quick wit and sense of humor that always gave me a chuckle. He retired the year I graduated, 2008, and was our commencement speaker. May his memory be eternal!
February 29, 2024 | Amy Corbett - SAN RAFAEL, California -- United States
Safe travels Mr. White. You have given us so much.
With love,
Amy Corbett
Bancroft '67
February 28, 2024 | Barbara Steele - Chandler, Arizona -- USA
I am a Bancroft graduate of 1968. Mr White was a wonderful ,unique teacher who left a lifetime impression on me! I am so sorry for your loss Mrs, White. I know so many of his students are holding you in our hearts at this time. I was so sad to read that you had a condo In Ridgway as I had a home there for 22 years and hiked the San Juans so often. I wish we had run into one another and shared a hike in those amazing mountains!!!
Wishing you peace in remembering such a lovely man.
BarbaraSteele
February 28, 2024 | Karen L.Abbott - Manassas , Virginia -- U.S.A
I shall always remember my English classes with Mr. White.
They were some of my favorite memories of Bancroft.
February 28, 2024 | Bernard Turgeon - Little Rock, AR -- United States
As a new teacher at The Bancroft School way back when, I learned many important things about the teaching profession from Steve. We hit it off right away - his quiet manner and amazing sense of humor drew me in almost immediately. I've always appreciated his guidance, assisting me in navigating the ways of "all things teaching"! He was a wonderful friend and colleague.
My deepest sympathy to the Clare and Lisa - your husband and dad was quite a guy...I'll never forget him.
February 28, 2024 | Sara Weiner - Sharon, MA -- US
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. White's passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at Bancroft. I will always remember his great sense of humor and how he was always ready with a witty remark and a smile. He had a gift for teaching his students to read and write in a way that was both fun and often funny, too. I am so grateful to have had the chance to learn under his guidance. I'll be keeping his family in my thoughts.
February 28, 2024 | Jamie Paul - Worcester, MA -- United States
I had the privilege of serving in Bancroft's English department with Steve. His bemused, playful expression and quiet wisdom and warmth are with me to this day and make me smile as I remember him. His years at Bancroft are still sending ripples into the world through his students and fellow teachers. May his family and friends cherish and find peace in his memory, in one another, and in that part of him that lives on in them /\
February 27, 2024 | Matthew McNitt - Royal Oak, MI -- USA
I was lucky enough to have Mr. White for three years while at Bancroft in the eighties. Among the many extraordinary educators there, he always stood on top as my absolute favorite. I know there are several of my classmates that would agree. He was a class act and will never be forgotten.
February 27, 2024 | Brian F Cristy - Auburn, Massachusetts -- United States
With deepest sympathy to Mr. White's family, he will always be my favorite Bancroft teacher.
February 27, 2024 | Patrick O'Connor - Portland, ME -- Usa
Mr. White was a gentle and gifted teacher. He allowed us to be ourselves and easily earned our respect because he treated all students with dignity and kindness. I fondly recall his wit and appreciated his willingness to revel
in our occasional teenage buffoonery. I hope his family finds peace in the wonderful memories they shared.
February 27, 2024 | Melissa (Cohen) Loeb - Needham, MA -- USA
I'm saddened to hear of Mr. White's passing. He was indeed a favorite teacher of mine from my years at Bancroft in the mid-'90's. My condolences to his family. May his memory be for a blessing.
February 27, 2024 | PK Smith - Corning - formerly Holden MA, NY -- USA
Mr & Mrs White will always be fond memories of kind and approachable adults from my youth. The literature Mr White introduced to me are still intriguing books that speak to me through time. And I really appreciate how he didn’t freak out when I dented his car in the school parking lot. How fortunate am I that I know this family!
February 27, 2024 | Andrea Harris - Stow, MA -- USA
Mr. White was the best teacher at Bancroft. I will always be impressed that, in the 1970s, he had us reading a book that would probably not only be banned and burned in some states even today, but would give their state senators apoplectic fits. He was ahead of his time and his students benefited from his fearlessness.
February 27, 2024 | Kelly McKallagat Rogers - Great Falls, VA -- USA
Mr White was a great neighbor while I was growing up and a wonderful English teacher during my time at Bancroft. His wit and insight were always spot on. I will always remember seeing him taking long walks around Holden and the smell of his and Mrs. White’s wood fires. My thoughts are with his family.
February 27, 2024 | Erica Driscoll Ribeiro - Sterling , MA -- USA
Mr White was an amazing teacher and certainly one of my
favorite at Bancroft. What a legend! May his memory be a blessing to those who loved him and to those who were lucky enough to call him teacher.
February 27, 2024 | Susan Barnard Lamdin - Brunswick, ME -- USA
Clare and family,
My deepest condolences. I am a 1972 graduate of Bancroft, and Steve was definitely a favorite English teacher. We have been living in Brunswick since 2001, and you and Steve and my husband, Geoff and I got together briefly at Thornton Oaks, and we also bumped into each other one day at the LLBean mark down store in Freeport! My mother, Janet Barnard, lived at Thornton Oaks for 10.5 years. She passed away at age 95 in 2020, thankfully just before Covid hit. I also have connections to Scituate. We knew Steve loved Maine, and I am glad you both came here. Clare, please, when this sadness is past, we would very much like to invite you to visit us at our home. We will welcome you with open arms. Here is my number: 207-522-5633. With love, Sue Barnard Lamdin.
February 27, 2024 | Roel Torres - Somerville, MA -- USA
Mr. White was always a calm oasis in the middle of constant high school chaos. He was always warm, friendly, and encouraging. His passing is a great loss to the Bancroft community and my condolences go out to his family and loved ones. I have fond memories for the days he taught me in the late 80s and early 90s and he will always be remembered. May he Rest In Peace.
February 27, 2024 | Andrew Richardson - Cambridge, MA -- United States
So sorry for your loss. Mr. White was one of my all-time favorite teachers. I came to Bancroft in tenth grade after suffering through years of so-called education in the Worcester Public Schools. Mr. White was exactly what I needed - a teacher that was passionate for his subject matter and loved to teach. Thanks to teachers like Mr. White, I became interested in school again and went on to have a happy and successful life and career. I can truly say that he changed my life.
February 27, 2024 | Jane Mirzaie (Creamer) - Nashville, TN -- USA
Mr. White, you taught me to love literature. Just being in your classroom brought me great joy. Whenever I rip a page from a notebook I am reminded of your distaste of the confetti-like side - and how you would sprinkle them on my head as I sat below your podium. You are golden. -Jane
February 27, 2024 | Padgett Berthiaume - North Brookfield, MA -- United States
As a Bancroft Graduate, Class of 1997, I remember Mr. White as a "favorite teacher" for sure. He developed a religion and philosophy elective class in the high school that still stands out as one of my most memorable classes. He will be remembered fondly by generations of students.
