Obituary of Edward J. Whalen

It is with sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of Edward J. Whalen, loving husband of Joan Mary (Buckingham) Whalen on November 18, 2017. Ed was born on June 7, 1932 in St. Stephen, NB and moved to Sussex at an early age, where he received his education, graduating from Sussex High School. His early training as a concrete technician resulted in employment with Donald Inspection Ltd. in Halifax, Montreal, and Oromocto during construction of Camp Gagetown. This was followed by employment with Chitticks Ready Mix in Saint John. He then pursued specialized courses leading to certification in Public Health Inspection and was employed with the Saint John County Board of Health, and later the New Brunswick Provincial Department of Health for some 35 years, retiring in 1996 as the Supervisor of Public Health Inspection for the Saint John region. Ed will be remembered for his quick wit and dry sense of humour. Anyone who knew Ed will remember his half smile and the twinkle in his eye as he delivered a corny punchline or a well-crafted pun. Always the resourceful handyman, there weren’t too many things that Ed couldn’t fix or build. In retirement, he enjoyed woodworking projects for his children and grandchildren. He was a man of faith and was a member of St. Pius X Parish since 1967. He had an unwavering sense of duty to family at every stage of his life. In addition to his loving wife of 57 years, Ed is survived by their four children: Peter Whalen (Cathy) Saint John, Mike Whalen (Debbie) Bedford, Anne Whalen (Ken Grant) Dartmouth, and Ellen Belyea (John) Saint John; grandchildren: Helena, Kendra, Scott, Laura, and Emma; sister, Catharine McLaughlin; brothers: John (Daisy), David (Tina), Bill (Judy), and Jim; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, George B. and Catharine (Irving) Whalen; his brother, George Whalen; brother-in-law, Patrick McLaughlin and sister-in-law, Julia Whalen. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Ed’s caregivers at Tucker Hall, Parkland Saint John, the residents of Parkland Saint John, and Dawn Marie Hachey for their compassionate care of Ed over the past 15 months as his health declined. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Pius X Church, 316 Somerset Street, Saint John on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The family has suggested remembrances to the GEM Unit c/o St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, Heart and Stroke Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice.