Richard “Dickie” Roland White 1957-2025

Richard “Dickie” Roland White

Richard “Dickie” Roland White, 68, of West Brookfield MA, passed away peacefully at Baystate Wing Hospital, surrounded by his loving children, after a courageous battle with cancer. Though our hearts are broken, we take comfort in knowing he was not alone—he spent his final moments listening to the music he loved, cared for by the compassionate staff at Baystate Wing in Palmer who ensured his comfort.

He is survived by his devoted children: Jessica and her husband “Jimmy” James Farineau, Joy and her husband Mark Carey, and Julie and her husband Eric Frechette, and grandchildren, Charlie Farineau, Liam Carey, and “Nico” Nicola Carey, all of Massachusetts. He also leaves behind his siblings, John and wife Teresa White of California, and Susan and husband “Jim” James Kalil of Massachusetts; as well as his beloved niece Paige Lucier of Massachusetts, and nephews Jesse White and family of California, Jason White of Washington, and Theodore “Teddy” Lucier of Massachusetts. Richard was predeceased by his parents, Maria “Meg” Josephine Galli White Trent and Roland White, both of whom also lost their lives to cancer. Coming from a large extended family—with parents who each had over ten siblings—he leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, though time and distance created separation over the past several decades. In recent years, Richard’s closest relationships were with his children and their families. He had been estranged from Judy and her extended family for much of the last 11 years.

Richard was born in March 1957 in Massachusetts spending his early years in the Worcester/Shrewsbury area, especially near Jordan Pond, with his older brother John. After his parents’ divorce, he moved with his mother to Pennsylvania, where she later welcomed his sister, Susan. Following high school, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from January 1975 to March 1977. Throughout his life, he remained connected to the veteran community, volunteering with the VA to assist with facilities maintenance and providing peer-to-peer counseling. After his military service, Richard returned to Massachusetts, where he married Brenda (Fadden) White in March 1984. That same year, they welcomed their oldest child, Jessica, in June. Though their marriage ended in 1986, Richard later married Judy (Chailifoux) White, with whom he was blessed with two more daughters: Joy in 1989 and Julie in 1990. The family relocated to California for a time before returning to Massachusetts in the late 1990s, settling in the Worcester area. In 2020 he made his final move to Warren with his daughter Julie and her husband Eric. Richard spent his remaining years continuing his commitment to supporting fellow veterans and volunteering as a peer counselor at the VA in Bedford.

He was a fierce advocate for those most vulnerable and was known for his generosity—quite literally giving the shirt off his back to someone in need. Richard believed deeply in equality and fairness, championing the rights of veterans, people of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. To him, meeting basic human needs should have always been the standard.

He also had a playful side and loved fireworks—never missing an annual display and occasionally sneaking small fireworks and sparklers across the New Hampshire border for his kids and grandkids (but you didn’t hear that from us!).

The one constant in Richard’s life was his music. Rarely did much time pass without him strumming his guitar. He wrote songs for the people he loved and would play whenever the mood struck. Over the years, he played in several garage bands, including Foolish Old Men(FOM)—in the late 1990s. He even won prizes in the VA’s Battle of the Bands more than once. 

Richard’s children will be holding private services. For details, please reach out to them directly.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to honor Richard in ways that reflect the things he loved:

• Watch his favorite movies: The Fifth Element, Mars Attacks!, Armageddon, and Galaxy Quest.

• Listen to the music he cherished: Steely Dan and Blackberry Smoke (especially this live performance from Levitate Music & Arts Festival 2019—the last video he watched with me).

• Give back as he always did: Consider donating to your local VA or to Raptor Tales Rescue, an organization dedicated to rescuing his favorite birds—red-tailed hawks—and other raptors.

Richard Roland White March 22, 1957 – August 10, 2025 Dad • Grandpa • Guitarist • Joyful Soul

We’ll miss you, Dad. Love, Jess