Harry Nixon White Jr.

Harry (“Hank”) Nixon White Jr., of Glen Mills, passed away on December 18. He was 75. 

Hank was raised Episcopalian in Ithaca, New York. He graduated from Hobart College with a bachelor’s in philosophy, and from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary with a master’s in divinity, pastoral studies, and counseling. He then worked as a pastor at many Philadelphia area parishes, including Church of the Ascension in Parkesburg, and, most recently, Calvary St. Augustine Episcopal Church. He was also a licensed eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing therapist, and was devoted to counseling individuals and couples in need of pastoral care.

A long-time resident of Swarthmore, Father Hank was known for his adventurous and fun-loving spirit, as well as his kind and caring heart. He enjoyed playing the jazz double bass, loved his involvement in West Philadelphia community organizations, and was a staunch and active supporter of diversity, equality, and inclusion. He loved dogs, especially beagles, but none more than his beloved Tabitha. He also enjoyed playing cards with his friends at the Ivy Creek retirement community, cooking spaghetti dinners for the masses, fishing, golfing, traveling (especially to Wales and coastal Maine), doing any and all kinds of yard work, being a grill-master extraordinaire, photography, shooting pool, woodworking, riding motorcycles, and acting in community theater. Hank was always the first person in the room to laugh, the finder of good in everything, and most definitely the “king” of puns.

Hank was the devoted and beloved husband of the late Betsy V. White, the son of the late Harry Sr. and Florence Folsom White, and brother of the late Sarah Jennings. 

He is survived by his loving children, who will miss him immeasurably: Andrea and Nathan (Shannon) White, and Laurie, Michael (Elyse), Edward (Janet), and Timothy Riggs, and by two of his sisters, Jane (Lawrence) Santucci and Deborah White. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brian (Anne), Tommy (Ally), Jake, and Kyle Riggs, Rachel (Bjorn) Henriques, and Mason and Wyatt Maxwell; and by his great-granddaughter, Lily Riggs.

A virtual celebration of life will be announced at a later date on nolanfidale.com.

Burial was at Forest Lawn West Cemetery in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Memorial donations in Hank’s name may be made to Calvary St. Augustine Episcopal Church, 814 North 41st St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Condolences: nolanfidale.com.