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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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