(January 8, 1930-December 9, 2003)

POTSDAM--Paul Whalen, 73, Potsdam, died Tuesday at his home, under the care of Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.

Mr. Whalen served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1954 and was employed with Shelley Electric Co., from 1956 to 1958. He was employed with Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. from 1958 until his retirement in 1991.

Born Jan. 8, 1930, in Pittsfield, Mass., a son of John and Jane Gorman Whalen, he attended schools in Norwood and was a 1947 graduate of Potsdam High School. He married June Louise James on April 10, 1950, at St. Mary’s Church with the Rev. Joseph L. Tierney officiating.

He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church and a member and third-degree knight with the Knights of Columbus Council. He was a 12-year member of Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department and enjoyed golfing, bowling and sight seeing.

Surviving besides his wife are two sons and their wives, David and Kelly, Oswego, and Michael and Paulette, Colton; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Janet and Larry Allen and Leah and Michael O’Leary, all of Potsdam, and Elaine Whalen, Syracuse; a brother, William, Massena; a sister, Mary Jane Beckstead, Massena, and 12 grandchildren.

Two brothers, John "Jack" and Raymond, died before him.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Church with the Rev. Garry B. Giroux officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Garner Funeral Home. Donations may be made to St. Mary’s School or Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.

(From the Wednesday, December 10, 2003 edition of the Watertown Daily Times, page D7).