Nicholas White Sr., 86, of Houston, died at 3:37 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 1998, in Washington Hospital, following a lengthy illness. Mr. White had lived in Houston most of his life. He was a 1931 graduate of Canonsburg High School. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed as a reactor operator at Koppers Chemical, formerly American Cyanamid, in Bridgeville. He was an accomplished accordionist who taught and played in many local bands, including the Jolly Nite Hawks in the 1930s and the Rhythm Airs in the 1970s. He was a member of Musicians Local 509, where he had served as past president. He became an honorary life member of Tri-County Federation of Musicians Local 592. He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Canonsburg. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. On April 21, 1933, he married Mary V. Gaydos, who survives. Also surviving are one son, Nicholas J. White of Canonsburg; one daughter, June Chambers of North Huntingdon; one sister, Ann Gasper of Strabane; five grandchildren, Mike, Terry and Nick White and George and Sandra Chambers; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Copyright ©1998 Observer Publishing Co.Last updated Friday, July 10, 1998Nicholas White Sr.
Accordionist taught and played in many local bands
He was born December 19, 1911, in Kiev, Russia, a son of Michael and Narpina Chechekova White.