George Patrick Whalen

1952 - 2011

George Patrick Whalen

DOVER PLAINS - George Patrick Whalen died on October 28, 2011 following a valiant struggle with a long illness. Patrick, as he was known, bravely passed with his mother, Mildred R. Whalen, and his brother, Thomas J. Whalen, at his bedside. Patrick's beloved father, George E. Whalen, predeceased him on November 15, 2010. In addition to his mother and brother, he is survived by his niece, Jennifer, and his nephew, John, and his maternal aunt, Caroline Mikula, of Poughkeepsie. During his final hospitalization, he was frequently visited by his cousin, Barbara Whalen of White Plains.

Patrick graduated from Dover Jr.-Sr. High School in Dover Plains, NY as valedictorian in 1970. He received his B.A. degree from Fordham University in 1974 and a Master's degree in English Literature from Fordham University in 1976. Patrick was a James Joyce enthusiast who was published in the James Joyce Quarterly. He authored two books, Brain Bombardment, an amusing memoir of his life as a runner, chess player, and commuter to New York City where he was employed for twenty years as an administrator at the social work office of Talbot Perkins Company. He also published Write Your Own Chess Book Regardless of Your Strength, a book that suggested techniques by which one could learn from one's own games so as to acquire superior playing skills. He was a member of the United States Chess Federation and the Marshall Chess Club in New York City and won many trophies in tournament play.

Patrick was a communicant and lector at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Dover Plains where he resided all his life.

Patrick was an avid gardener with a special enthusiasm for tomatoes (he once produced a colossal three-pounder) and enjoyed making meals for himself and his mother with whom he resided at the Whalen family home. He will be greatly missed by his mother to whom he was greatly consoling and helpful following the death of his father.

Visitation will be at the Whalen family home at 3143 Route 22 in Dover Plains, NY from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2011. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, Mill St., Dover Plains, NY. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Dover Plains. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Shrine, 512 West Saratoga St., Baltimore, MD 21201. To send the family an online condolence, please visit www.hufcutfuneralhome.com.