David "Tall Pine" White
David White Obituary
Brimfield – David “Tall Pine” White, 47 of Brimfield, MA, died Thursday, April 16, 2020, at Care One at Redstone, East Longmeadow, MA following an illness.
Born in Worcester, MA, on July 18, 1972, he was the beloved son of Kenneth White of Sturbridge, and Joyce Green White of Brimfield. David is survived by his wife Amanda (Rossignol) White. He is also survived by his son Steven, US Army, his brother Timothy White of Sturbridge, his stepdaughter Allison L. Kania, and his stepson Logan D. LeBlanc; his step mother Ann White of Sturbridge, two step sisters, Keri Hoenig of Auburn, MA, and Lori Thompson of Sturbridge, MA, and his niece Emma and nephew Lukas.
David graduated from Tantasqua Regional High school with the class of 1990. In 1993, he became a Massachusetts Licensed Journeyman Electrician and worked for local contractors for many years. He later worked as an Electrical Instructor for Home Builders of America until his death.
Tall Pine was very proud of his Nipmuck heritage. He was a Tribal Member and Vice Chairman of the Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indian Council. In 1996, he became a student and researcher of the Nipmuck language, and later became a proud instructor of the language. He taught many Nipmuck language classes on line and in person at many locations including the Hassanamisco Indian Museum in Grafton, MA.
Among his other achievements, he was Tribal Representative of the Muhheconnew National Confederacy, the U Mass Repatriation Committee, organizer and emcee at annual Nipmuck Pow Wows, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, and Family Advocate. He was also a board member of the Earthlands Institute of Environmental awareness, Language Consultant and film extra for PBS documentary “We Shall Remain” mini-series. He was a participant and completed ACTFL oral proficiency training at the Kahnawake Mohawk Reservation. He completed a two-week intensive Language Teacher training/Research Workshop at the Breath of Life Archival Institute for Indigenous Languages at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. He was a board member of the Nipmuk Cultural Preservation and also Tribal Representative/Advisory Board member of the Montague/Turner’s Falls, MA. Research project.
Sansoucy Funeral Home, 40 Marcy Street, Southbridge, MA 01550 is handling arrangements. Due to current precautions, service will be held at a later date. The family would like you to pay your respects by sharing your memories of Tall Pine here on sansoucyfuneral.com
At the family's request, please omit flowers.
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