Name: Calling hours for ROBERT J. WHELAN Sr.
Start: 2020-04-28T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-04-29T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Andrew J. Magni & Son Funeral Home

WHELAN, Robert J. Sr. On Saturday, April 18, 2020, Robert "Bob" / "Doc" Whelan, loving partner and father of two children, passed away at the age of 62 at Brigham and Women's Hospital after a quiet battle with Myelofibrosis and complications from pneumonia. Born on July 21, 1957 in Boston, MA to the late Josephine (Coletti) and Robert Whelan. Bob was a loving brother to the late William and Jane Whelan, both of Newton. He graduated from Newton North High School in 1975, and worked as a painting contractor for William Earle & Son, which he eventually took over and ran until his death. On June 7th, 1981, he married the late Theresa Szymanski. They had two children, Alanna (Whelan) Flaherty and Robert Whelan, Jr. Bob had a passion for sports, dogs, and watching Turner Classic Movies. When not listening to, watching, or discussing sports, he loved to surround himself with friends and family while enjoying beers outside by the water, and found his greatest happiness playing with his grandsons. He was truly one of a kind, and left an impact on everyone he met. His quiet strength, huge smile, "wisdom seeds", and catch phrases will be missed beyond measure, but will live on in the hearts of those he left behind. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert; his mother, Josephine; his siblings, William and Jane; his wife, Theresa; and his closest friend and mentor, Robert Earle. He is survived by his longtime partner, Tina Yazbek; two children, Alanna and Robert; sons-in-law, Neal Flaherty and Rich Martino; two grandsons, Jack and Carter Flaherty, who he adoringly referred to as "Jack-Jack" and "Big Man"; stepbrother, Michael Walsh; aunt and uncle, Carol and Edward Hadro; several cousins; and his dear friends, the Earle-Coppola family. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Bob's care team at the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute. They are forever grateful to them and his oncologist, Dr. Eric S. Winer, for their knowledge, care, love and support. Bob's family will hold a public visitation in accordance with state-mandated Coronavirus restrictions. So we will only allow 10 people into the funeral home at a time and ask that you observe social distancing. Calling hours Tuesday, April 28 from 4-8pm in the Magni Funeral Home, 365 Watertown St., NEWTON. Burial will be private. Donations in his memory may be made to the MPN Research Foundation. https://www.mpnresearchfoundation.org/Donate-to-MPN-Research Andrew J. Magni & Son FH, Newton www.magnifuneralhome.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Apr. 25 to Apr. 26, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT WHELAN

11 Entries

Yes

Tina Yazbek

May 25, 2020

You will always be my love, thanks for all the memories we made together, I will cherish them for ever. You made such a impact on so many. Watch over all of us. You are with me every day. You are the best❤

May 7, 2020

When you wrote about Bob's "quiet strength," that exactly captured him for me. As a customer for over 20 years, I knew Bob as a man of integrity who cared a great deal about the quality of his work. The fact that I won't be able to call him this spring to say, "Bob, just a couple of things need to be done" is so very sad to me. My condolences to all of you--Lori Breslow. Newton Lower Falls

don green

April 30, 2020

Doc, one of a kind. He ill be missed. He loved living downtown where we used to live. Who will I get to do my painting now.

Annette & Don Green

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Renee Pantridge

April 27, 2020

Tina, Alanna, Neal, Jack, Carter, Robert and Rich..... We were so blessed to have Bobby in our lives. When he and Tima lived in Natick we loved the hot summer weekends when they'd come over to lounge in our pool. Bobby would walk in with his cooler filled with Corona's by his side and asked Taylor "aka Toilet Paper" and Shane "aka Little Buddy" if they were ready to jump in. He'd love playing an aggressive game of catch with Ryan and Shane. The stronger the throw the better. He wasn't going to go easy on them he'd alwasy say. They loved their Uncle Bobby and will miss him every day. He was one of the best!!!

Love Ya Big Guy!

Renée, Dean, Ryan, Shane and Taylor

LeeAnn Spataro

April 26, 2020

I will always remember that incredible smile and how proud he was every time he came in the store and would show me videos of his grandchildren. Bob always had a smile and story.

Erica Hiersteiner

April 26, 2020

We were clients of Bob's. In fact, his excellent painters were starting a complete interior painting job for us when the virus intervened. He also supervised an exterior project for us several years ago. Bob was a wonderful person to deal with, he hired the best employees and was a real perfectionist. Here's how I found out about Bob: I was looking at paint samples at Ace Hardware in Nonantum and casually asked aloud if anyone could recommend a good house painter. Three customers called out, simultaneously, Bob Whelan at William Earle & Son. So, I phoned him, and I am so glad I did! My husband and I were so sorry to read about his death this morning. He was a lovely man and it's clear he will be greatly missed by many friends and family.

Debbie Cononico

April 26, 2020

Dear Tina, Alanna & Bobby,
So very sorry to hear of such a great loss. I have many memories of growing up in the same neighbor and all our years of schooling together.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you and give you strength to get you through this difficult time.

Paul Coletti

April 26, 2020

Dear Tina, Alanna, and Robert,

Bob was a good friend and a genuine person. We knew each other since age 2, grew up together on William Street, and were lifelong friends.
I was lucky to have him as a friend and I will miss him.

My sincere condolences and prayers to you and all who knew Bob.