Working In Vacationland

Seth White was born February 26, 1913 in Snowville, New Hampshire. His parents were Everett J. and Cora Berry White.

He moved to Cape Elizabeth in the early 1940's, and his son, David (died November 2019), graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 1957.

Growing up he helped his father who specialized in restoring early American country houses. In his early teens, he acquired a Model T which enabled him to deliver mail from Eaton, NH, to Conway, NH after school. A year after he acquired the car and had begun the regular delivery of mail, his neighbor, a New Hampshire State Trooper, commented: "Well, you're finally old enough to drive."

Most of his career was spent working for the Maine Publicity Bureau, serving as a field representative and eventually as its executive director. Seth often noted that his duties for the bureau had taken him to every town in Maine.

After retirement, he continued to serve on the Bureau’s Board of Directors, and in 1999 he was awarded the Hall of Fame Award by the Maine Tourism Association.

In the early years of his retirement, he traveled extensively throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and Africa. He also collected antique glassware and was a member of the National American Glass Club. He was pleased that he had been able to spend time in many of the world’s great cities.

He was a 32nd degree Mason. He was also a member of Hiram Lodge #18, F&AM, the Royal Arch Chapter #70 in South Portland, the Scottish Rite Bodies-Valley of Portland, the Portland Commandery, the Kora Temple in Lewiston, and Portland Council #4 R&SM.

In July 1981, he married his wife, Barbara Snowman Chase (died February 2019).

Seth has a son, David (deceased), three stepdaughters, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

His first wife, Elizabeth Fletcher, died in 1968. In 1971, he married Dorothy M. Barrett who died in 1979. In 1981, he married Barbara Snowman Chase who died on February 26, 2019.

He graduated from Kennett High School in Conway, New Hampshire, in 1931. For several years he worked with his father who specialized in restoring early American country houses in the area. During the depression, he worked for the Works Progress Administration in various locations in New Hampshire and in Boston, Massachusetts-mostly in a managerial capacity. While working in Boston, he attended classes at Northeastern University, studying business administration. For several years prior to World War II, he was on staff of the Extension Service of the University of New Hampshire.

Seth%2525252520White%2525252520Party%252

presented the Boston Post Cane as Cape E's oldest citizen

During World War II, he worked as a special investigator for Dunn & Bradstreet, compiling basic financial and technical analysis of business enterprises for use by war contractors and government agencies. When the war ended, he continued working for Dunn & Bradstreet until December 31, 1948, serving as a credit investigator throughout the state. Subsequently, for several years he was associated with the investment firm of H. M. Payson in Portland.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed working with wood as well as assembling electronic and mechanical gadgets. As a youth, he completely rebuilt the carburetor on his car, replacing all the parts with new ones provided in a kit. He also built the first radio receiver to be used in Snowville.

As an adult, he specialized in crafting fine wood furniture and he particularly liked working with birds-eye maple. He also fabricated bookcases, tables, stools, lamps as well as an elaborate dollhouse. His most prized item of craftsmanship was the half-hull of a sailboat.

In the 1960’s he built a high-fi system from component parts. And, shortly before moving to Village Crossing, which is now The Landing at Cape Elizabeth, he fashioned a whimsical anemometer out of ordinary kitchen items.

As long as he was able to move about freely, he loved the outdoors, observing nature by walking in the woods and along beaches.

Seth’s family would like to thank the staff at The Landing (formerly Village Crossing) for the thoughtful care provided to him throughout the 11 years he was in residence, the staff of Northern Lights Home Care and Hospice, and Theresa’s Girls, who along with his physician, Robert J. Frazier, D.O., all of whom assured his comfort during the final months of his life.