George E. White died peacefully on June 1 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, after a fall which resulted in a broken hip. He was 94.

During the final days of his life his daughter Wendy A. Stone was by his side, along with many other family members.

George was born on Oct. 27, 1921 in Oak Bluffs. He was the son of Antone F. White and Mary (Caton) White. He attended the Oak Bluffs schools. As a teenager, he went to work for his father as a truck driver delivering ice and other supplies throughout the Island.

He was drafted into the Army in 1942, and he was assigned to the 83rd Division Artillery Battalion as a mechanic. He also served as his commanding officer’s driver. While serving his country he participated in several battles and campaigns, including the Normandy invasion, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge, and the invasion of Nazi Germany.

After the war George returned to the Island and went to work for Colby Construction Company, where he learned to operate heavy equipment. He also worked construction jobs on the Cape. He then moved to Michigan, where he worked on contracts developing large highway projects. In 1964 he and his family moved back to the Island. George then joined his three brothers Joseph, Albert, and Lester, at White Brothers Construction Company. Over the years the White Brothers developed the business into a very well-known, highly respected, and successful Island enterprise. The business was sold in 1995. George was always a hard working man and he continued to work part-time for the new owner well into his 80s.

He was a member of the Oak Bluffs Volunteer Fire Department and the Masonic Hall, and a lifelong member of the PA Club, to mention a few. George was a well-respected, soft spoken, gentle man. He was often quick to tell stories about his many experiences in life. Whenever he started to relay a story he would say “to make a long story short,” which all knew would not be short. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and in past years he traveled to Alabama, Hawaii, Florida, and the Panama Canal Zone, where he enjoyed spending time with his daughter Wendy and her family. He also enjoyed time spent with his stepchildren and their children. He will be missed by many.

George is survived by his wife Eileen C. (Sylvia) White; his children Georgianna White, Robert White, James White, and Wendy Stone; his two grandchildren and one great-grandchild; his stepchildren Michael Lima, Sylvia Capelli, and Lisa Healy, and their children; his brother Albert White; his sister Katherine Mazza; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, his sisters Evelyn White and Mary Eglinas and brothers Joseph White and Lester White all preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his former wives Susie (Rose) White, and Hilda (Benefit) White.

The family would like to thank all the people who sent cards and flowers and brought food to the PA Club for the celebration of George’s life. A special thank you to the nurses and staff who attended to him while he was in the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. A very special thank you to Hope Hospice for the loving care they provided to George during the final months of his life. George’s cremains were interred at the Sacred Heart Cemetery of Oak Bluffs on June 13.

Donations can be made in his memory to Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.