Ned White, obituary

Wed, 02/10/2021 - 1:30pm

SOUTH THOMASTON — Ned White, 74, passed away in his home on January 29, 2021 after developing complications from cancer treatment, with his wife, Carla, at his side.

Ned was the writer of the BDN blog, Journeys Over a Hot Stove, from 2013-2019. His son, Sam White, and daughters Molly Harvey and Amy White Graves, were also with him during his two weeks at home, with granddaughter August Graves present for much of the time.

Ned was a freelance writer for print, public and commercial television, theater, and corporate media. His work included seven original musical plays for young adults; five adult audience participation mystery plays; a children’s TV series; a movie of the week for HBO; a video game; and a variety of comedy, drama, and documentary for broadcast. His proudest accomplishments were his Journeys blog, constructing 25 crossword puzzles for the New York Times, and writing six novels (nedwhitebooks.net). He graduated from Yale College in 1968 as Scholar of the House and a highly accomplished pool player.

Ned was a keen observer of people and the world, finding beauty and amazement nearly everywhere. He had a deep fascination for physics and life beyond Earth. He was a self-taught guitarist and pianist. He was a fierce seeker of truth and loathed pretense. He loved the open skies of New Mexico, where he lived for eight years, but especially embraced the down-to-earth honesty, humor and peace of Maine and Mainers.

In addition to his wife and three children, Ned is survived by his brother, Ridge; two sons- and a daughter-in-law; a brother- and two sisters-in-law; five grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a godson.

During his last weeks, he had these words of advice for all: “If you have stuff to let go of, do it sooner rather than later.”

Per Ned’s wishes, memorial donations can be made to:

 Wade Goss ‘71 Minority Scholarship Fund of St. Andrew’s School, Boca Raton, Florida, www.saintandrews.net/support-endowment

 AIO Food and Energy Assistance, Rockland, Maine, www.aiofoodpantry.org/donate-now