WHITMAN – John Duval is one of those people who personify the adage, “love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Retired from working in the pharmacy – or drugstore if you prefer – founded by his grandfather just after WWII, in 1946, he can still be found there three days a week from 9 a.m. to noon.
“I work, I get to see my two sons. It’s about the only place I see them,” he said with a laugh. “I still put in my two cents worth, and I like it – it’s my whole life.”
A career of 60-hoour weeks hadn’t lent itself to the development of hobbies.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people over the years,” he says. “Whitman’s been great.”
The feeling is evidently mutual.
Kathleen Teahan, also retired, is also hardly taking it easy. The former English teacher and state representative, has been working at something of a “third act” in life – as an author. She has recently penned the children’s book, “The Cookie Heard ’Round the World,” about the origins of the Toll House cookie in Whitman – illustrated by former W-H Express graphic artist Larisa Hart – and “For the People, Against the Tide,” about her tenure on Beacon Hill.
“That cookie, and the story behind it, kind of personify the character of Whitman,” Teahan said this week. “Just the coming out of troubled times with something that was very positive.”
In addition to his own career as a pharmacy, Duval’s store has been a fixture in Whitman Center – with its own Toll House cookie connection.
His store was ground zero for the New Year’s Eve Cookie Drop in 2013/14 and 2014/15.
Now the two have received another feather in their caps – they’ve been named co-grand marshals of the Whitman 150th anniversary parade by the Whitman 150 Committee.
“We were thrilled,” Duval said of his family’s reaction. “I’m so happy to be with Kathy Teahan. She’s a great person.”
“It’s very exciting,” Teahan said about being chosen. “It’s totally a big surprise. I mean, I knew Whitman was having a birthday and a big celebration, all kinds of projects, but I wasn’t expecting this at all.”
When she got the call, she said she was honored and humbled because she respects John Duval so much.
So, how does one become informed about being chosen as a parade grand marshal?
“I was sitting home watching TV and I got a telephone call from Richard Rosen, who said the committee ha chosen me and Kathleen to be co-grand marshals,” he said last week in the store. “I said, ‘Are you sure?’ Maybe he should be because he’s so involved. But he said, no, at this point he didn’t want to do that.”
He said he doesn’t know how the committee came to choose him, but noted, “I’m happy to be chosen.”
Now he has to select an outfit.
“I told my wife, ‘I’m practicing my wave on you,’ and every once in a while she goes by and I wave,” he said. “She’s ready to throw me out of the house.”
For her part, Teahan seemed taken aback by the honor.
“I’m still connected, and still always interested in the people of Whitman,” she said. “I loved the years that I grew up there, it was such a special place.”
“We have sponsored every children’s thing that came down the road and many other things,” Duval said of the business. “And many years ago, when the Tri-Town Parade was here, my father was grand marshal.”
He said he tries to carry on the tradition of his father and grandfather, and “do a little extra when I can.”
Aside from those unspoken “little extras,” and finally being able to purchase their building after years of trying, they are investing in a pharmaceutical future – assisted living and group home clients and robotic medication packaging.
“It’s very integral for our business to succeed,” he said.
Duval had also served as a member and chair of the Whitman Board of Heath for many years.