Arthur Edward White

Arthur Edward White, 94, of Sarasota, FL, passed away on July 26, 2026 after several months of failing health. Art was born in Buffalo, NY in 1932. He graduated from South Park High School in 1949 and was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Buffalo Teacher's College (now SUNY Buffalo) in 1953. Inspired by a dear friend, he joined the Navy to see the world. Just in time, too—his number was called for the draft the next day! After many adventures in the South Pacific, he graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1962. A devoted husband and father, Art met his wife Maura (née McDonald) on Christmas Day 1966 in Marseilles, France. After two years of letters and visits, she joined him in Monterey, CA in 1968, where they were wed. Art graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1971. They welcomed daughter Siobhán in CA, son Adam in RI, and daughter Ciara in VA, where Art earned a Master's degree at American University while stationed at the Pentagon. His next command was Athens, Greece, where he was stationed at Nea Makri. A decorated Lieutenant Commander, Art retired from the Navy in 1980 in Jacksonville, FL, and began a career in financial planning. He and Maura moved to Sarasota in 1996 and spent time travelling to see family in Ireland, sightseeing in Europe, taking cruises in the Caribbean, and entertaining friends and family around their pool. Art loved classical music and the Great American Standards, made a perfect Manhattan, and enjoyed solving crosswords with Maura each morning and watching Jeopardy! each night. A devout Catholic, he prayed the rosary daily and never missed Mass. Art was a devoted husband and father. He leaves behind his loving wife, Maura, children Siobhán (Michael Lapthorn), Adam, and Ciara, and grandchildren Quinn, Lucy, Conrad, and Henry. He was preceded in death by parents Arthur and Martha White, sister Patricia Olivieri, brother Daniel White, and his beloved grandparents, Adam and Mary Manka. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Martha Catholic Church at 10:00 AM on July 31, 2026, followed by a military burial at Sarasota National Cemetery on 11:00 AM on August 3, 2026.

Tributes

Arthur Edward White

July 26, 2026