Fritz Stanley White

Fritz Stanley White (“Stanley”) passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Brooklyn, NY, at 88.

Stanley was the seventh of eight boys born to Fitz and Lillian (Lakey) White in Georgetown, Guyana.  Early in his career, Stanley worked at Timehri International Airport in Guyana as a radio operator, managing aircraft communications during takeoff and landing.  Seizing a new opportunity, in 1957 he relocated to Barbados, where he became a senior airport radio operator at Grantley Adams International Airport.  While working at Grantley Adams, Stanley loved to travel throughout the Caribbean whenever he could.  Traveling remained a life-long passion for Stanley.  

A year after arriving in Barbados, Stanley met Eglantine (“Eglan”) Matrina Branker, the love of his life whom he married on November 14, 1959.  They immigrated to New York the following year, settling in Brooklyn where they would raise their two beautiful daughters, Jacqueline and Karen.  During their 37-year marriage, Stanley and Eglan were inseparable, devoted parents who worked tirelessly to give their children the best of all possible worlds.  After raising their girls, they traveled the world together, exploring different cultures. 

When Stanley arrived in the states, he had hoped to continue working for the airlines, but that was not meant to be.  Striving hard to provide for his family, Stanley pursued a college education at night for over a decade while working full time.  He received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics in 1972 from Baruch College, City University of New York.  He worked at Katzenbach & Warren from 1961 to 1982, where he assumed numerous roles of increasing responsibility, including director of customer relations.  After leaving Katzenbach & Warren, Stanley worked as a comptroller at Murray Benjamin Electric Co. until his retirement in 1998.

Stanley lost his loving wife, Eglan, in 1996, but was lucky to have had a second life-partner and love, Yvonne Smith.  They made a home together in Rockley, Christ Church, Barbados, where they raised Alyssa Smith, Yvonne’s granddaughter.  In his spare time, Stanley enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden and dutifully collecting the many mangoes from his tree, guarding them from hungry, mischievous monkeys.  Stanley and Yvonne lived in Barbados for almost a decade before returning to Brooklyn in 2010.  When Stanley’s health declined, Yvonne was not only his companion but his caregiver.  She lovingly took exceptional care of him until his passing.  Stanley cherished Yvonne and thanked God for the blessing that she was to him.

A true gentleman, Stanley was charming and tall, an imposing figure at 6’2”, with a commanding presence and a statesman’s demeanor.  Always with a smile, his warmth and laughter were infectious.  He was an avid reader, an intellectual, and a philosopher who had an insatiable quest for knowledge.  Stanley could converse on almost any topic from politics to world history to current events.  His wise and insightful discussions left you in awe of his vast knowledge and left you inspired by his humbleness – he truly relished imparting knowledge.  He was also the family historian who would regale you with stories, chronicling family lore with encyclopedic proficiency like a “personal” ancestry.com.

Stanley enjoyed giving back to his church, family, and community.  He was an active member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, NY, where he served as assistant treasurer, treasurer, and warden.  He also led several fundraising campaigns at the church, utilizing his accounting background.  A consummate giver who adored his family, Stanley was known for his kind and compassionate spirit. 

Stanley is survived by his daughters, Jacqueline White and Karen White, his grandchildren, Christopher (Kristi) Rucks and Serena White, his brother, Lincoln White, and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.  He leaves behind his long-time companion, Yvonne Smith.

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