Justin Thomas White

WHITE, Justin Thomas died peacefully at the age of 61 on May 6, 2022 with his father and six siblings at his side after a valiant battle with ALS.

Justin was born on Feb 19, 1961, to Nancy Grueby White and Terrence H. White. He grew up in Cohasset, the sixth of seven children. He attended Cohasset schools, Milton Academy and graduated from Thayer Academy in 1980. From his earliest years, Justin established close friends who journeyed with him throughout his life and meant the world to him. 

Justin attended Tulane University where he developed a love of the outdoors and travel which influenced much of his professional career and extensive adventures. After college he worked in the family business, Safety Lines, a highway line marking company, alongside his father, two brothers, cousins, uncle and many family friends. He later joined the highway safety company his brother founded, Brite-Line of Denver CO, where he remained a consultant throughout his career.  

Seeking a new challenge, Justin became a licensed securities broker for The Bankhouse Boston and then a management consultant for George S. May International. His work brought him to the west coast where he took the opportunity to spend a year commercial fishing, eventually piloting a vessel to the farthest reaches of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. He then made California his new home, settling into the pristine mountain community of Lake Arrowhead. He began learning a new industry of tree preservation and forest management becoming an elite technical climber and logger. Justin spoke often of the beauty and thrill of working high in the forest canopy. As the dual disasters of wildfires and insect infestation increasingly impacted the health of California’s forests, Justin joined ArborWorks, Inc. to manage forestry contracts in the Sierra Nevadas. He went on to work on large scale disaster projects for FEMA in Florida, the Carolinas, and Puerto Rico. Justin became a lead project consultant for the national disaster management firm Forgen LLC, working with state agencies, the Federal Government, and the major California utilities to battle the impacts of wildfires, establishing himself as a recognized and respected expert in this field. 

Justin was an avid reader with a keen interest in history, culture and politics. He enjoyed discussing current events and debating issues with friends of all ages. His easy sociability belied the breadth of his intellect and both were equally important in his approach to life. His friends remember him as charismatic, generous, and kind with a wonderful sense of humor and contagious laugh.

In March of 2021, Justin was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, (ALS). He lived his last year to the fullest, working and traveling with his kindred soul and beautiful partner, Jintana Thongmee, throughout Europe and her native Thailand. Together they shared a loving companionship that sustained him through the challenges of ALS which he faced with remarkable courage and grace. No matter where his work and adventures took him, Justin adored his hometown of Cohasset with its unique beauty and countless special places that held memories of his childhood to which he returned to spend his last weeks.

Justin was a devoted son, brother, and cousin who leaves many behind to cherish his memory. They include his father Terrence H. White of Cohasset, MA, his brothers Kevin H. White of Denver, CO, and Terrence H. White of S. Yarmouth, MA; his sisters Constance Arnold and husband Greg of Marshfield, MA, Martha Jackson of Boston, MA, and Ira Jackson of Boston, MA, Kristin Allison and husband Stephen of Center Sandwich, NH, and Nan Theberge and husband John of Sherborn, MA; his fifteen nieces and nephews and dozens of beloved cousins, affectionately known as the Kevin Whites, Brendan Whites, Merciers and Thibaults. He was predeceased by his loving mother Nancy Grueby White.

His family would like to thank those who gave an outpouring of love and kindness during his illness. A private memorial will be held at his home. Memorial contributions can be made to Compassionate Care ALS at www.ccals.org. 

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