SARATOGA SPRINGS — John Joseph Whelan entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, December 24 at Saratoga Hospital.
Born to John and Catherine (Hallissey) Whelan, he was raised and married in Yonkers and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He graduated with honors in 1959 from Iona College with his Bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting.
Following his marriage to the former Lois Sneider in 1960, they chose to raise their family in Pleasantville, while he worked as business manager for Rye City School District in Westchester County. He devoted his spare time to his community through the Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department on Patrol 7 and was a lifelong fan of Notre Dame football. While retired in upstate New York, he was a dedicated member of Saratoga Council 246 Knights of Columbus and the Saratoga-Wilton B.P.O. Elks Lodge 161. A communicant and faithful weekly Mass usher at St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church, he also served as a member of St. Clement’s Regional Catholic School Board of Directors.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Lois; his daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Paul Roberts of Martha’s Vinyard, Massachusetts’ his youngest daughter, Barbara Ann Whelan of Saratoga Springs; two grandchildren, Emily Roberts and John Mihalek; and an older sister, Mrs. Margaret Burke of Yonkers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11a.m. on Friday, January 24 at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs. Burial with military honors will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville.
There are no calling hours and in lieu of flowers, his family has requested any financial memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. Clement’s Regional Catholic School, 231 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (584-7350).
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (584-5373) and online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
