Hoboken pays tribute to dedicated son White

Gary White was a dedicated soul to the Hoboken community, especially youngsters. A highly respected custodian in the Hoboken school system, White went on to become the first African-American president of the Hoboken School Employee Association. But Gary was also a highly dedicated official, refereeing in three different sports, namely baseball, basketball and volleyball. Gary served as an official for more than 30 years. During his time, Gary also spent countless hours, working with the youngsters of Hoboken, in particular those who regularly played basketball at the Fourth Street Park courts, including Derrick Alston, the current head coach of the Westchester Knicks of the NBA's G-League. Alston also spent a handful of years as a player in the NBA and had a lenghthy career as a professional overseas. But Gary White was a constant at the Fourth Street Park basketball courts. It was his home away from home. So it was only fitting that the powers-that-be in Hoboken would take the time to rename the courts as the Gary White Courts, in honor of the man who passed away last year. Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla presented White's widow, Christine, with a proclamation honoring the day.

"It's a historic event, a celebration to make sure that Gary's legacy lives on," Bhalla said. "It's also a way to inform the people of Hoboken who he was and his incredible generosity to the community. He set an example for me as mayor. We're not here just because it's a nice thing to do. We're here in the spirit of Gary White. This is a day for all of us. It's proof that everyone in America is equal." After Christine White was presented with the proclamation, the group moved over to the courts for the unveiling of the two plaques placed at the courts so that everyone can remember White.

"It's just amazing," Christine White said. "It's a wonderful day. It's heartwarming, just heartwarming. I'm overwhelmed with the love here today. I can't find the words. I'm just so ecstatic about it, knowing Gary's name will live on here and will be remembered for years and years to come. It's definitely well deserved. It's just marvelous. He's here and will never be forgotten."

Chubby James, one of the event's organizers, was moved to tears. "I've known Gary all these years and you really couldn't ask for a better person," James said. "I'm just honored to be a part of all of this. Gary never really wanted any of the accolades or credit. He was happy being in the background. But this was nicely done by everyone in the community. On a scale of 1 to 100, I'd say it's 100."