Michael F. Whalen Jr, of Berwick PA, known as Grandpa by family and friends who loved him, died August 22, 2022.
Michael Whalen was born June 14, 1942, Milford Connecticut. After graduating Hill House High School in New Haven CT in 1960, he began a career at Electric Boat in Groton —makers of the first nuclear submarines —in a new field called Non-Destructive Testing. When the nuclear power industry evolved, he continued this career path to the construction of Peach Bottom Atomic Power Plant working for X-Ray Engineering Co and relocated the family to York Pennsylvania. He was promoted to Project Manager for Peabody/GEO Testing and was among the first onsite for construction of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Facility where he stayed until its completion.
Mike was instrumental in establishing a local chapter for the American Society of Non-Destructive testing and served as an officer. Also during this time he enjoyed playing in many golf and bowling leagues and touring on his Honda Interstate cycle.
While keeping Berwick as his adopted home, he took assignments across the country as a QC Level III Inspector/Examiner —including the Mobile Bay Project in the Gulf, the Alaskan oil pipeline, and the Space shuttle launch platform —all the while enjoying extended stays in places such as Oswego NY, Port St. Lucie FL, Baltimore, New Orleans, and more.
Having been a Past-President of the Ledyard, Connecticut Jaycees, he also became a valued member of the Berwick Jaycees by helping to construct many displays for the Christmas Boulevard, devoting countless hours to the project. He also enjoyed many Penn State family tailgates with the Gill and Baer families where he was a master griller and deep-fryer.
Following his retirement he spent summers at Loon Lake, Plymouth NH, enjoying the water and woods with his family and friends. He enjoyed maintaining and renovating the family camps his whole life, and it was there that he passed from this life to the next.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Diane (Santovasi) of Berwick, son Michael F. Whalen III of Shickshinny PA, daughter Wendy Gill of Bellville PA, grand-daughters Katherine Gill, Los Angeles, and Jamie Gill, Ypsilanti Michigan. He is preceded in death by his father Michael F. Whalen Sr., mother Virginia (Wilcox) Ritchie, step-father Donald J. Ritchie, and infant sister Cheryl Whalen.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted with the Heller Funeral Home, Nescopeck. Internment ceremony will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Walnut Street Berwick on September 24th at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Berwick Christmas Boulevard Foundation.