Ira (Ike) White

Ira (Ike) White, 85, of Pitcher, NY, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at the home of his daughter, after battling cancer.

Ike was born February 14, 1925 in Pitcher, NY to the late Leon and Elizabeth Fosgate White. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He returned to the family dairy farm at the end of 1946 and married Katherine Doyle on February 16, 1947. Together, Ike and Kay operated the farm for 30 years, raising four children. During that time, Ike also served as a member of the Cincinnatus Fire Department, the Knickerbocker American Legion Post, the Pitcher Town Board, and the Cincinnatus School Board. After retiring from farming, Ike did carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work until he went to work for Jack Wood's Auction Service and then Gene Wood's Auction Service. A number of local barns took shape under his hammer. He drove truck off and on over the course of his life, hauling everything from milk, feed, ice, sawdust, army equipment, and personnel to cattle.

Ike is survived by his children, Sharon (William) Pesesky of Cortland, Linda Bunting of Cortland, Susan (Ross) Smith of Fawcett, Alberta, Canada, and William (Faith) White of Clifton Springs; a sister, Beth (Nick) Petrella of Solvay; a sister-in-law, Jane White of Oxford; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and a number of guys who adopted him as their second Dad.

He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Kay, in 2003, and his brother, Malcolm, in 2005.

Funeral services will be held at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY on Monday, March 29, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Allan Ferguson officiating. Burial will be in Pitcher Cemetery. The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday evening, March 28, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.. Donations in memory of Ike may be directed to Caring Community Hospice of Cortland, 11 Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, NY 13045 or Rural Services of Cortland and Chenango Counties, 2704 Lower Cincinnatus Road, Cincinnatus, NY 13040.