Kashmir P. White

Former Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department Chief

Kashmir P. “Kash” White, 77, of Bethel, died July 7 at his home. He was the husband of Nancy Ellen Chandler White.

Mr White was a past chief and life member of the Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department in Newtown.

“He was a big part of the department,” said Joe Masso, Jr, captain of the Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department. “He was a source of information, having been with the department many years. He was very influential on me when I joined the department in 2000.” Mr White was active in the department until this month, taking on administrative and committee duties as his health allowed, said Capt Masso.

Mary Nielson, a longtime family friend and president of the Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department, said that Mr White will “absolutely be missed. He was always a great chief. He always was there to help with guidance of the new members. He had the time and patience and mentorship to let things play out because he had been there and done that.” When illness prevented Mr White from attending meetings recently, Ms Nielson recalled that the other firefighters did not sit in Mr White’s usual seat. “It was like we were just waiting for him,” she said.

Mr White’s son Mark currently is the chief of the Dodgingtown Fire Department, and his son Greg is also a former chief.

Mr White was born in Bridgeport January 21, 1930, a son of Oliver and Jennie White. He grew up in Greenwich, graduated from schools there, and served in the US Army. He and his wife moved to Bethel in 1959 and have been proud to call Bethel their home ever since.

From 1952 to his retirement, he was employed as a senior optical engineer with the Perkin Elmer Corporation.

Besides his wife and two sons, all of Bethel, Mr White is survived by two daughters, Karen Dickinson of Southbury and Wendy Smith of Bethel; three grandchildren, Pamela Dickinson, and Jeffrey and Devon Smith; a nephew, Steven White of New Milford, and a niece, Susan White of Florida, and their families. A brother, Oliver White, predeceased Mr White.

A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Department, 55 Dodgingtown Road, Newtown CT 06470.

The Newtown Bee        July 13, 2007