Roderick John White
April 23, 1949 to February 14, 2025
Obituary
RODERICK JOHN WHITE
April 23, 1949 – February 14, 2025
After a long and gallant fight with cancer Rod White lost his battle on February 14, 2025 at the Dr. Leonard A. Miller Centre. He was predeceased by his parents Lester and Beatrice White. Rod is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife Tina Nugent, sister Sandra Furneaux, nephew Jonathan Furneaux (Charmaine), niece Susan Furneaux (Michael Harlick), and great nieces Jane Furneaux, Julia Furneaux, Holly Burns, great nephew Jack Furneaux, and great great niece Maria St. Croix.
Rod’s precocious nature was not lost on his parents but was nurtured at a very young age.
On her weekly trips to the grocers Beatrice faithfully collected an edition of the The Illustrated Home Library set of encyclopedias which, with Lester’s guidance, became a useful tool in molding what would later become one very brilliant mind.
Seeing the world from a different lense Rod was far from average and to strangers he was often misunderstood. But to those who were fortunate to know and love him he was an exceptionally compassionate and generous man.
Rod’s varied passions spanned a multitude of disciplines making him a modern day renaissance man. Founder, builder, physicist, musician, philosopher, restorer of vintage tools, animal rights advocate and lover of all things ocean…and then there were his boats…perhaps the true loves of his life were the boats he owned, built, sailed and captained. In them he discovered true contentment. In his later years he found such joy in grabbing his paddle board for a solo adventure around Three Island Pond.
He lived by the words of Arisotle “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit”. It was in this vein that Rod navigated all facets of his life. Spurred on by his romantic entrepreneurial spirit he took his ideals from the kitchen table to the Toronto Stock Exchange in a few short years. Along with his business partners, Rod excelled on the world stage. In 1985, along with his business partner, Derrick Rowe, Rod founded a new company which fifteen years later became Canada’s fastest growing technology company, Stratos Global.
Fuelled by passion Rod’s undeniable talent as a musician started with downtown gigs and continued throughout his adult life with regular band nights at Villa Nova Road. It was here that he formed long lasting friendships with his band mates (Bob Evans, Garry Kirby, Keith Noel and Kirk Rees) and honed his talent as a singer, guitarist and pianist.
Philosophical debates with like minded humans satiated Rod’s incessant urge to share his understanding of the teachings of the likes of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchen and others. Rod revelled in these discussions which seemed to fuel his passion to higher levels.
To get a first hand account of Rod’s love of animals you would have to have been his cat Powder or his dog Harold, Cindy or Truffles. His love of animals was evident throughout his 75 years…and beyond. This care and concern shone through his philanthropic jestures, forever protective of their rights. Twenty-one editions of the Illustrated Home Library Encyclopedias still proudly sit on a shelf at Villa Nova Rd. They served him well.
A special mention should be given to Rod’s dear friend and business partner, Trevor Adey, whose friendship and partnership brought him great joy. As well as to his physician and close friend, Eslier Aguilar, whose care, friendship, and philosophical conversations meant so much to him.
There will be no funeral or visitation. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.
Oh my! Just seeing this. I knew Rod in business from afar and his colleagues always spoke of his vision, deep technical knowledge and innovation. I also knew Rod from close-up and the recipient of his sharp elbows at our weekly basketball runs at Brother Rice. He gave it his all and left nothing on the floor.
Oh dear Tina, my deepest heart felt condolences to you.
My deepest condolences to the family and many friends in Rod’s passing. I first meet Rod when in 1989 I went to work at Ultimateast Data Communications, then NewEast and finally Stratos Global. My memories of Rod are many but my favourites are when he took a philosophical turn and thought to enlighten me in some nuanced look at life or the universe. I also recall how he explained the Global Positioning System (GPS) and how it will change the world. I will raise a toast to Rod and wish him well on his way!
My deepest condolences to all family and friends during this sad time. I didn’t meet Rod but I’ve heard some good stories and he will be missed for sure
Sincere condolences to Rod’s friends and family. I was fortunate enough to have known Rod since the early 90’s. Our companies complemented each other’s efforts and Rod was a joy to work with. Rod turned visions into realities, dreams into action, and did it all with his trademark smile and graciousness. May he rest in peace.
Tina, sincerest condolences on Rod’s passing.
Brian and Bun Porter
Tina, my deepest sympathy to you on the passing of your dear husband. May our Blessed Lord strengthen u and his family in the days ahead. Rest n Peace dear Rod.
Sincerely,
Ruth Kenny
A fascinating man with a brilliant mind and warm & generous soul has left us too soon. Sending love and hugs to sis Tina & Rod’s family..
Wendy & Dave
Deepest sympathy to Sandra and all of the family, on the passing of Rod. God Bless. Your father Lester and my father Robert(Bob) were first cousins.
Tina please accept my condolences on the loss of the love of your life. May your wonderful memories be a source of comfort to you.
Rod. You will be dearly missed. I have so many fine memories during our days at Ultimateast/Neweast/Stratos.
Rest in Peace.
Sharon Rose 🌹
Sorry to hear of Rod’s passing. I knew Rod through our Tuesday and Thursday night basketball games at Bro Rice. Rod was a competitive player and enjoyed the company of the guys who played with us. Nice guy
Just noting the passing of Rod. This comes as a surprise to those of us who have not seen Rod in sometime although at one time we all knew him as a regular at our basketball sessions at Brother Rice on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings.
I knew Rod at the university where as well he played a little basketball, but I did not know The significance of his intellect and knowledge except that which was exposed in the obituary.
Rod was a fine man and clearly an interesting man.
Our condolences to his wife and friends.
Denis Barry
Tina,
It is so sad that my first contact with you since leaving the telephone company is under these circumstances.
Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family in this most difficult time.
Take Care
To Tina and Rods family. I m very saddened to read today of Rods passing I remember him very well from his earliest days at work. Rod always stood out in terms of his technical knowledge and his innate ability to apply it. My sincere condolences to you and family.
RIP
Deepest sympathy to the family and to Sandra on the loss of your brother. Their father, Lester, and my father, Malcolm were first cousins.
Rod was a man of very admirable ideals that he lived every day. His love for you was so obvious and I know his loss is crushing to and his family.
Know we are here for you.
Tina, My deepest sympathy to you, family and friends. I have fond memories of Rod during our working days at the telephone company. May the memories bring you comfort and peace at this time. May he R.I.P.
Blessings! Barbara
Tina, My sincere condolences to you and family and friends. May your memories of Rod bring you comfort and peace. All the best! Susan
What a tragic loss I am so sorry to hear this Tina
Tina and all family, I wish to extend my sincere condolences on the passing of Rod. I had the pleasure of knowing him quite well during his exciting entrepreneurial days at Status Global when I was VP at Royal Bank. He was a wonderful person . Rest in peace Rod.
Tina,
Sorry on the passing of Rod.. Kelly was keeping me up to date during his latest journey of illness.. May the beautiful memories you shared, which I am sure were many help you navigate the days ahead. Continue to lean on your friends.
Blessings and love is sent your way.
Tina and family,
Sending my sincere condolences to you all. May your wonderful memories of Rod bring you comfort in the days ahead. Take Care.
Tina
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear husband.
Thinking of you as you soldier on.
much love to you ….
Anne Richardson
To Tina and Rod’s family members, I am so saddened by news of Rod’s passing . I only learned very recently that he was in palliative care. Rod was always very kind an patient with me in my early Telecom days as I knew nothing about technology and Rod knew everything on the subject. I always enjoyed early interactions at work and occasional chance meeting . He was clearly in the “renaissance man” category . It was an honour to have recently enjoyed a brief text exchange with Rod.
Chris O’Dea
Sandra sorry to hear of your brother’s passing.
Tina I am so sorry to hear of Rod’s passing
I did not have the pleasure of meeting him but heard so much about him from you I feel like I did know him, you both had a very special bond and the memories will last forever
Take care my friend
Joyce
Sandra sincere condolences to you on the loss of your brother.
Sincerely Linda Giannou
Sandra, my deepest condolences on the loss of your brother
Sincere condolences to Rod’s family > We were neighbours for several years and always enjoyed our many encounters then and since! We are very sad to hear this news, may he rest in peace. Don and Judy Fitzpatrick
Dearest Sandra, We were saddened to learn the passing of your brother Rod. To you, and indeed the entire family of Rod and his friends, our sincere condolences on your loss. May Rod Rest In Peace✝️
Peter and Pat Hutton