Bernard James "Bernie" Whalen, 86, died Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, surrounded by his
family, at Grafton County Nursing Home, North Haverhill, N.H., after a long illness.
He was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., Dec. 18, 1924, the son of Thomas F. and Myrtle Bell
(Barrett) Whalen. Bernie served with the United States Navy
during World War II from 1942-1946 aboard PT Boat Ron 27 in the Philippines. Upon his
discharge, he married Lillian I. Carpenter on Oct. 26, 1946.
Following his service in the Navy, he was employed at McDonald's Dry Cleaning and
Grafton Motors. He operated Bernie's Flying A Garage in Woodsville for 10 years
and then worked for Northern Auto Supply and Sanel's Auto Parts.
He was a communicant at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Woodsville and
the Holy Name Society. Bernie served as a Woodsville precinct
commissioner from 1972 to 1973. He was a Little League Baseball and
basketball coach in Woodsville for 10 years and was a 15-year member of
the Cohase Lions Club. Bernie was also a life member of the Ross-Wood
Post 20 American Legion in Woodsville and a member of VFW Post 5246 in North Haverhill, N.H.
He was a lifelong fan of the Red Sox, often acting as coach and umpire
from his recliner. During his retirement, he spent winters at Riverwoods
Plantation in Estero, Fla., as well as traveling to visit his children and grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Theodore Whalen, in July 1993.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lillian I. Whalen of Grafton County
Nursing Home; a daughter, Susan L. Richardson and husband Mark of
Bedford, N.H.; three sons, Michael B. Whalen and wife Beverly of New
York City, Timothy T. Whalen and wife Mary Jane of Essex Junction, Vt.,
and Stephen H. Whalen and wife Karen of Woodsville, N.H.; grandchildren
Tammy and Brad Colby of Mooringsport, La., Wanda and Eric Reid of
Denver, Colo., Debra and Tim Kelley of Philadelphia, Pa., Jennifer and
Keith Evans of Limerick, Pa., Casey and Jon Hess of Manheim, Pa., Kee
Gibson of North Hollywood, Calif., Sarah Gibson of London, England, Joy
and Paul Fichiera of Chandler, Ariz., Jennifer Whalen and Jeffrey Ho of
Williamsburg, Va., Jesse and Chris Tyler of Landaff, N.H., and Meghan
Richardson of Bedford, N.H.; 23 great-grandchildren; and three
great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Whalen of South Burlington,
Vt.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday, Jan. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Ricker
Funeral Home, 1 Birch St., Woodsville, N.H. At 7 p.m., his son Mike will
offer a personal reflection, and time will be allowed for further reflections.
A Mass of Christian burial will be on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. at St.
Joseph Catholic Church, with the Rev. Jeffrey Statz officiating.
Spring burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Woodsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grafton County Activity Fund,
3855 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill, NH 03774.
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