Obituary of James F. Whelan

James F. Whelan, 79, of South Peabody, died Saturday evening at his residence following a short illness. He was the husband of Claire M. (Carroll) Whelan with whom he shared 51 years of marriage. He was born and educated in Lynn, the son of the late Frank and Agnes (Hartnett) Whelan and graduated from St. Mary’ s Boys High School in 1942. He was captain of the 1942 Baseball Team and was a member of the Championship Basketball team of 1941. He served in the US Navy on convoy duty in the North Atlantic and Mediterrean Seas during WW 11. Following his discharge, he attended Coburn Prep in Maine and the University of Miami in Florida. He had been a salesman with N.E. Tel & Tel, now Verizon for 30 years in the Yellow Pages division prior to his retirement in 1985. He was a longtime resident of Peabody and a member of St. Ann’ s Church. An avid golfer, he spent over 40 years as a member of the Andover Country Club receiving many awards and accolade for his golfing ability. Surviving him besides his wife are 3 sons and 3 daughters-in-law, Timothy J. and Joan Whelan of Marblehead, Daniel J. and Lisa Whelan of Lynnfield and Brian C. Whelan of Peabody, a daughter-in-law, Denise Whelan of Lynn, 7 grandchildren, Timothy J. Whelan Jr, of Marblehead, Michael & Ashley Whelan of Lynn, Terri Lynn, Jacqueline and Jimmy Whelan of Lynnfield and Casey Whelan of Arizona, a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and his best friend Daniel Moriarty of Peabody and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Richard F. Moose Whelan who died last November. His funeral will be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 12 Chesntut St., Peabody facility followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Ann’ s Church, So. Peabody at 10:00 A.M. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Visiting hours on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Relatives and friends kindly invited. In lieu of flowers memorial Donations may be made to the NSMC Foundation, ATTN: Walk 2004/Gampy's Gang, 17 Centennial Dr. Peabody MA 01960.