PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The first John Hazen White III Memorial Tribute was held under sunny skies on April 27 at the Narragansett Brewery. Participants included family members, friends, and employees of Taco Comfort Solutions.

White was Taco’s senior vice president of North American OEM sales when he died in November 2022 at the age of 35. Survivors include his wife, Katelyn, his daughter, Madison, his parents, John and Elizabeth White, and a brother, Benjamin White, and his wife, Kirsten.

The tribute began with a one-mile walk/run meant to symbolize a shared commitment to the community and its well-being, a press release from Taco said. The event’s slogan was, “Come Walk or Run in Memory of Maddie’s Daddy.”

Later, at the brewery, tribute attendees enjoyed live music, food, and camaraderie.

“Seeing everyone here today means so much to us,” said Katelyn White, corporate social responsibility partner at Taco. “This is exactly the type of event that John would have loved — an opportunity to spend time together with family and friends for such a wonderful cause. We wish he was still here, but we know he lives on in all of us.”

“Today’s event was truly special,” said John H. White Jr., Taco’s owner and executive chairman. “Sharing time together with friends, family and the Taco community is the perfect way to celebrate John’s life and the joy he brought to all those who knew him.”

“We are so thankful for everyone joining us here to pay tribute to John,” said Benjamin White, program manager for business operations at Taco. “He made us all better people and continues to have a positive impact on our lives. As we have been saying, love is not a big enough word when it comes to John.”

Donations in White’s memory can be made to the John Hazen White III Endowed Scholarship fund at Community Preparatory School in Providence. Details on how to donate can be found here.