82R11959 JBA-D
By: Kuempel H.C.R. No. 120
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and
meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends
of Thomas Peter Whalen of Schertz, who passed away on July 30, 2010,
at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, One of seven children, Tom Whalen was born on
December 3, 1922, in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Peter and Mary Goggin
Whalen; he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and spent more than
three years in the Pacific theater, serving mostly on the
minesweeper USS YMS-365; after World War II, he married the former
Rita Garille, with whom he would go on to raise six children,
Daniel, Christine, Mary, Philip, Regina, and Ken, and share more
than six decades; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whalen reenlisted in the Navy in 1946, and
through the years, he was stationed in California, Saipan, Cuba,
Rhode Island, and Florida; trained as an electrician, he served on
the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La, the ammunition ship USS Mauna
Loa, and the cargo ship USS Jupiter; he retired in 1964 with the
rank of Chief Petty Officer; and
WHEREAS, Along with his family, Mr. Whalen settled in Tampa,
Florida, where he worked as a journeyman electrician at Florida
Steel; in 1972, the Whalens moved to Schertz, and Mr. Whalen became
the maintenance supervisor at Structural Metals in Seguin; he had
several other jobs before retiring for good in his seventies; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whalen was a longtime member of the Knights of
Columbus Council 6358; he was active in the group's charitable
works, served as Grand Knight in 1975, and eventually attained the
rank of Fourth Degree; moreover, he contributed his time and energy
as a volunteer at Brooke Army Medical Center for many years; among
his favorite pastimes were fishing, boating, and eating seafood at
the Texas coast; and
WHEREAS, Those fortunate enough to have known Tom Whalen will
remember the way he touched their lives with his optimism, sense of
humor, and devotion to his family, and he will forever hold a
treasured place in their hearts; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the memory of Thomas Peter Whalen and extend
sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his wife, Rita
Whalen; to his children, Daniel Whalen and his wife, Maureen Behan,
Christine Young and her husband, Michael, Mary Swift, Philip Whalen
and his wife, Daria, Regina Maxfield and her husband, Mike, and Ken
Whalen and his wife, Jackie; to his sister, Margaret Kurz; to his 10
grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives
and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of
Tom Whalen.