Msgr. Leo J. White, a retired priest of the Brooklyn Diocese, died on July 31 in London, England. He was 89.

Born in Chatham, Malta, he studied at St. Joseph’s College, England; St. Bonaventure College; and St. Laurence of Brundisi Seminary, Rome.

He was ordained a Capuchin for Malta on July 29, 1956.

After teaching for five years, he served as a missionary in Colombia, South America, 1963-68; chaplain in the British Royal Navy, 1968-73; and served as the Prefect Apostolic of Garissa, Kenya, 1973-84.

In 1984, he came to the Diocese of Brooklyn and served four parishes as a parochial vicar: St. Fortunata, East New York; St. Charles Borromeo, Brooklyn Heights; Most Precious Blood, Bath Beach; and St. Leo, Corona.

He was incardinated into the Brooklyn Diocese in 1990.

He returned to England and volunteered to be chaplain to Hispanic Refugees in London, 1995-2000, working at St. George’s Cathedral and St. Bede’s Church.

He retired in 2000 and continued to reside in England.

All funeral arrangements took place in Malta.