William P. Whalen

Bill Whalen, 93, of Massena, New York died peacefully on October 1, 2018 from complications with pneumonia. His wife of 68 years, Barbara, and four children were at his bedside. Bill was born November 2, 1924 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Jane and John Whalen.

Bill moved from Massachusetts to Norwood, N.Y. while still a young boy. He graduated from Norwood High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944. He trained and became a pilot during World War II, flying for the Army Air Corps. When World War II ended, Bill was Honorably Discharged and returned to Potsdam, where he attended Clarkson College. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation, he worked for two years for Spaulding Fiber in Tonawanda, N.Y. Again, Bill returned to Potsdam and married his college sweetheart, Barbara Wade. They settled in Massena, and Bill accepted a job with Alcoa. After four years, Bill was hired as Plant Engineer with Allied Chemical at the quarry in Norwood and was promoted to Plant Manager of the Eastern Division of Allied Chemical (now called Barrett Paving Material) before his retirement in 1982.

Together, Bill and Barb enjoyed many activities including playing cards with their Bridge Group, cycling, bowling, and spending summers at their camp on the Rainbow Falls Reservoir in South Colton, N.Y. Bill was very handy and built the family home in Massena and the camp at Rainbow Falls. He loved helping the family with a variety of projects and repairs.

Bill was predeceased by his three brothers and only sister: Ray Whalen (Winthrop), Paul Whalen (Potsdam), John (Jack) Whalen (Potsdam) and Mary Jane Beckstead (Massena). He is survived by his wife Barbara of Massena; sons Steve of Elmira, New York and Bill of Liverpool, New York; daughters Nancy (Tom) Fucillo of Camillus, New York and Kathy (Vance) Fleury of Massena; six grandchildren, Tom, Kelly, Kevin, Stephen, Danielle and Aaron.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 17 Lawrence Avenue, Potsdam at 9:00AM Saturday, October 6, 2018; burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Potsdam and a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to the Massena Meals on Wheels, 70 East Hatfield St. Massena, N.Y. 13662.