Passing of John White

Quite unexpected.....

Our craft will be poorer in his absence.
 
John was an amazing talent and a great inspiration. This is very sad news and my condolences go out to his wife and family.

May God Bless and comfort you
 
This is sad and hard to get my head around, John was so full of life in every way from his work to his friends. I will remember him and his smile that seemed to say, 'I got this and you know it'. What a great man God speed my friend. Prays for Jill and all of us with heavy hearts.
 
My deepest condolences and prayers to Jill and family. The same cancer took my mom a few years back and it is tough seeing their impact again. Heartbreaking to see this.
 
John was the true definition of a master craftsman. No matter weather building beautiful classic wooden boats, canoes or of course custom knives John's work was considered among the finest examples of functional art. However, more important than that John was an outstanding human being. He was one of the kindest, most sharing, honest, and positive individuals I ever met.

For a mastersmith of his stature, John hadn't been making knives that long. It's quite amazing how far he advanced but also how many lives he touched in the community. The custom knife world has lost an icon, a friend and an inspiration to us all.
We are deeply saddened by his loss. So sorry Jill, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
 
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The Knife World has lost another Giant.
John was so humble and so talented!
I will miss chatting with him at Blade and we all will miss his amazing work!
Dave
 
The world will truly miss such an amazing artist and craftsman. Thoughts and Prayers for Mr. White's family.
 
In 2005, I discovered Bladeforums and my fascination with custom cutlery crystallized.

I don't remember when I met John White in the forum, exactly, but his presence there was always one of the reasons why the forum was so good in the first place. He was the kind of guy, it seemed to me, that could be in a place and make it better just by being there.

John was an encouraging person, and was kind of a 'mentor' to all in the forum. He would be a positive counterweight in instances where it was required and was never overbearing in this regard.

I only knew John White through that forum, as we had never met in person. But over the years I guess I've developed a feeling of kinship with him and so his recent passing is really saddening to me.

All the best to those whose lives are being directly affected by John White's passing now. I hope that it's a comfort to know that there are probably a ton of people just like me who will carry around a positive memory and impression of the man. Apart from the very fine cutlery John White created, this is the kind of legacy that endures.
 
Really sad to hear. He was such a kind hearted and always happy man. I didn't even know that he was that old, he seemed so youthful and energetic during the times that I got the chance to speak to him during Blade shows some years back.
 
Very sad news, My deepest condolences and prayers to Jill and family.
I've always enjoyed seeing Johns knife post.
 
Knowing John for only ten short years , I knew in him a friend, an inspiration, and a brother soul.
John embodied the best in all of us.
Good bye for now my dear friend.
 
Wow. This is sure a surprise and a bummer. I'd always enjoyed his presence here on BF, and had hoped to meet him someday. Prayers sent for his survivors.
 
Devastating news. Thoughts and prayers to his wife and family.
 
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Was out of reach by phone/computer.....quite a lot happens when we are in that state.

John(Johnny) White was a true beloved friend to Paul Long, and for that I cannot offer any words....I imagine this hurts beyond words...not just to Paul, but many.

For years, John White did not make a knife geared towards a collector like me....and then, all of a sudden he did...and I ordered one, and he cannot fill that order because he has passed away...too soon, so much talent and a drive, force of nature, to keep going.

John White, I salute you and your family and am deeply saddened to hear of your passing, the world was a MUCH better place for your having been here with us, and it is sadly bereft of another great talent who left us far too soon....may your Spirit pass without challenge.

Smoke sent, prayers and best offerings to his family, close and distant.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
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It's hard to accept that a gentleman so generous and full of life can be gone so fast. No more visits, email or phone calls with a guy I came to think of as a friend and admired as craftsman few can match. He really enjoyed a challenge and pushed the limits to achieve new personal highs. His smiles, enthusiasm and quick wit will be missed by many. Thank you, John, for leaving such a legacy. Hope you have a chance now to build that last canoe you were planning.

I'm so sorry, Jill. You and John are both in my prayers.
 
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I never met John in person though I felt, as many, that we were already friends. I remember, a few years ago when I was starting out forging and having trouble with getting my vertical forge to light without a WHOOSH, he patiently talked me through it on the phone adding, just as I was lighting it, "I'll stay on the line... if the phone goes dead, I'll call 911". I still get a laugh out of that.

I said before that he felt like a mentor to me and as I read this, I see that he was that to so many. Somehow he always made our relationship seem a little bit special and again, I see that he did that for everyone he met. What a superlative character. I will sadly miss him, his knives and his presence on this forum.
 
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