John Whalen

John W. Whalen                                                   1907 - 2007   CHICOPEE-John W. Whalen, 99, a life long resident of Chicopee, died Saturday, Jan. 13th, in Wingate Nursing Home of South Hadley after a long illness and courageous battle to live and stay with his loving family whom  he loved.  John was the son of the late John & Johanna (Sheehan) Whalen, was educated in the Chicopee school system, and attended St. Anslems College in New Hampshire.  John was an avid Boston Red Sox & Patriots fan, and was thrilled when both teams won championships.  Even in his final days, he would ask family members to relay the scores to him.  John was an avid golfer who also enjoyed hunting & fishing, and hiking in the woods.  He worked at the former Westinghouse in Springfield for 40 years as an assembler prior to his retirement.   John leaves his wife of 73 years, the former Beatrice M. Mercure, a son Thomas A. Whalen of Chicopee, 2 daughters, Barbara Lyman and her husband Fred of West Springfield, & Mary Roy and her husband John of Chicopee, 8 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by a son, John Whalen Jr., 2 brothers Ambrose & James Whalen, and 3 sisters, Mae, Rita, & Clare Whalen.  Rita & Clare were longtime teachers in the Chicopee School system.  John's family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to everyone for the kindnesses shown them during John's illness and for the continuous love, support, & prayers.   Funeral services are Thursday, Jan. 18th, 2007 at 9am from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee, followed by a mass at 10 am in St. Patrick's Church, 319 Broadway, Chicopee.  Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Chicopee. Visiting hours are Wednesday 3-7 pm. Memorial contributions to St. Patrick's Church or Baystate Hospice, 50 Maple St., Springfield, MA 01102