Lawrence Alan Whalen of Marshfield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully the morning of January 9th, 2025, at the age of 91. Lawrence grew up in Rockland, Massachusetts moving to Marshfield following his marriage to the "love of his life," Catherine Spinale.

Those who knew Lawrence as a younger man, know him as "Alan" and those who met him later, call him, "Larry."  Reflecting on Larry's 91+ years of life, it's impossible to remember, or put to words, all that encapsulates him. Larry's life was rich in community service and accomplishments, but it was his humor and wit that charmed us all. Quick to smile, joke, or lend a hand, Larry knew everybody, and everybody knew Larry.

Like many of our country's young men of that time, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1951 and served in Korea. This brief period of his life became a source of strength, pride and identity which impacted all future pursuits. Larry's love of God, family and country are evident in his service to the church, his dedication to his family and his fierce sense of civic responsibility.

Larry was raised in the Catholic Church and was deeply committed to his faith. As a child, he served as an altar boy at Holy Family Church in Rockland. Later, he was an established member of the Saint Christine's Parish, where he served as an usher, Eucharistic minister and member of the Society of Saint Vincent DePaul.

In the early years of his marriage, Larry worked for Retail Credit Company followed by Commercial Union, and SunLife. His lengthy career brought him great professional gratification and honors. During those years, Larry and his wife, Cathy, raised six children, five of whom grew to raise their families here on the South Shore.

Many of you may remember Larry from his days as a Marshfield Police Officer, member of the town's Advisory Board, School Committee, Historical Society, and Conservation Commission.  You may remember Larry as Grand Knight of Marshfield Council 6649, President of the Korean War Veteran's Association, or Deputy Veterans' Agent. To provide an exhaustive list of Larry's town activities would, frankly, turn this into a saga!  Larry was, and will be remembered as, a most honorable man who held countless positions in town government as well as historical and civic organizations.

To his family, Larry Whalen was known as "Dad", "Pops", "Grandpa" and "Fuzz-Buzzy". His children remember softball games on the 'green', badminton and frisbee in the side yard, setting the back field on fire with fireworks, boating experiences on Long Pond and the North River (both enjoyable and terrifying), jumping on the HUGE timbers at Marshfield Lumber Co., night fishing off Damon's Point, and, of course, dancing in the living room to the beat of The Tijuana Brass. And, then there were the sweets! Oh boy did he have a sweet tooth. Weekend pancakes, morning cereal with a banana and too many spoonsful of sugar, peanut butter fudge, root beer and burgers at the A&W. There were Canada Mints, Peanut Butter Pillows and Necco Wafers in the glovebox and Dilly bars at the Dairy Queen – no, it was not called DQ back then.

His grandchildren have cherished memories as well - long walks on Humarock Beach followed by ice cream treats, standing on Grandpa's feet while he danced them across the room, Grandpa's cookie drawer, "Andiamo Catarina", model airplanes hanging from the rafters, the downstairs playroom complete with dress-up clothes and old Victrola, and Grandpa's military history lessons at Bourne High School.

A wake will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Christine's Parish Church. Interment will be in the Couch Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Marshfield Veteran's Services, 870 Moraine Street, Marshfield, MA 02050.

'For this is a journey that we all must take

And each must go alone

It's all part of the Master's plan,

A step on the road to home.'

Unknown

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