Thomas J. Whalen, Jr.

Thomas J. Whalen, Jr., 70, of Meadville, died at home surrounded by his loving family, Monday, October 20, 2014 following a 15 year courageous battle with ocular melanoma.  He was one of the longest survivors of this type of cancer.

He was born in Baltimore, MD December 4, 1943 a son of Thomas J. Whalen, Sr. and Helen Marie Woodburn Whalen Cropp.  He married Karen Hall October 31, 1970 and she survives.

He was a 1963 graduate of Meadville High School and was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the US Navy from 1963 – 1973 on board the submarines USS Tench, Benjamin Franklin and Lapon.  He worked as a foreman for DIC Tool, then for C & J Industries and finally as a case worker at the Public Assistance Office in Meadville retiring in 2003.  He loved baseball, football and coaching and mentoring children.  He was a coach for both Vernon Baseball and Little Griders Football.  For the past several years, he announced all the Little Grider Football games.  He was a member of American Legion Post #639, Springfield, MO and was active at the Requin Sub Base, Pittsburgh.  He was also an avid, Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers and Notre Dame fan.  He also enjoyed his flowers, the birds and going to the Presque Isle Downs Casino.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, Karen, of 44 years, include: a son Thomas J Whalen III and his wife Jessica of Saegertown; two granddaughters, Alyssa and Erica Whalen; his mother, Helen Marie Cropp of Meadville; a brother, Jim Whalen of Meadville; a niece, Kimberly Curnutt of Meadville and a nephew, Ryan Whalen of Phoenix, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Sarah Roncolato, Pastor of Stone United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment, with military honors provided by Huidekoper VFW Post 2006, will be in Greendale Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for all of the wonderful care and support they received from Hospice of Crawford County and suggests memorials to them at 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or the American Cancer Society, 505 Poplar Street, Suite 310, Meadville, PA 16335.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net