WHITE, ALAN

Alan N White of Woodbridge died peacefully on August 19th after a brief illness. Alan was predeceased by his wife Joan, his father Isadore, his mother Eva. He leaves his son David of Branford and his daughter Penny Smilios (Basil) of Aspen Colorado and his sister Sue Schiller of Maryland. Alan graduated from The Choate School and he attended Yale University. He was also a medic in the United States Army in Leadville Colorado. Alan was an avid golfer and he was a founding member of The Woodbridge Country Club and a member of the Quinnipiac Club and a past member of the Racebrook Country Club. Alan was President of Whites of New Haven a fine haberdasher on Chapel Street in New Haven founded by his father and grandfather in 1923. Alan started his career at the York Street store where he would help outfit all the Yalies in fine ivy league clothing. White of New Haven hats were sold in 200 fine department stores throughout the Country, The hats were named for streets in New Haven. Alan had a keen sense of the clothing trends and when Ralph Lauren started Polo in 1967, it was Whites who he first solicited to sell his wide ties and Polo clothing. Alan and Joan would entertain Ralph, and his wife Ricky, at their Woodbridge home. Alan is also mentioned in Ralph Lauren’s first biography. In 1967 Alan opened up Miller White, an extension of Whites, selling fine clothing, New Haven ivy league clothing in Philadelphia. In his later years Alan founded Whitehaven which was a liquidator of fine men’s apparel stores and he traveled across the country helping struggling business close their doors, leaving them with as many of their assets as possible.

Funeral service will be private with interment in the B’nai Jacob Memorial Park, Wintergreen Ave., New Haven. A private period of mourning will be observed. The Weller Funeral Home, 493 Whitney Ave., New Haven is in charge of arrangements. To sign a memorial book please visit: www.wellerfuneralhome.com.