Frederick J. Whelan Jr.

1937 - 2021

Frederick J. Whelan, Jr.
Frederick J. Whelan, Jr., of Greenwich, Connecticut and Ludlow, Vermont, passed away on November 28, 2021, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. Frederick was born to Frederick J. Whelan, Sr., and Margaret Marshall Whelan on November 8, 1937. A lifelong resident of Greenwich, Fred was born at Greenwich Hospital. Fred was educated at St. Catherine's Grammar School and Fairfield Preparatory School. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Connecticut Law School. Shortly after graduating from law school, he joined the Greenwich law firm of Dougherty & Dougherty. In 1969, he formed a private law firm, Tierney, Anthony & Whelan, later Tierney & Whelan, in Greenwich, where he practiced law for more than forty-five years. In addition, for many years he engaged in a real estate practice, doing business as Fourth Ward Partners.
Fred engaged in a host of civic activities, including as a Member of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce and a Director of the Greenwich Jaycees. He was a recipient of the Jaycee of the Year Award. Fred was also the recipient of several awards, including from the Amogerone Volunteer Fire Company; The Boys and Girls Club; and he was named "Irishman of the Year" by the Emerald Society. Fred also coached Little League baseball and football. Fred enjoyed and excelled at racket sports; including badminton, tennis, and paddle tennis. He and his children successfully competed in many badminton tournaments and paddle tennis tournaments over many years. For many years, Fred was an annual participant in the Innis Arden Parent/Child Tennis and Paddle Tennis Tournaments. Fred was a longtime member of Innis Arden, where he also enjoyed golf for over four decades. Like many, Fred found challenges in golf. He said golf can be a long-suffering avocation but every now and then then the thrill of a par; and new playing opportunities at courses in Casa Decampo and Shinnecock Hills, to name a few, kept him coming back. He enjoyed his friends at the Innis Arden roundtable for lunch for years; often telling and retelling old stories and jokes. Fred also enjoyed playing golf at Vineyards Country Club, near his home in Naples, Florida.
For more than 3 decades, Fred enjoyed the time he spent in Vermont, initially skiing and later reading books by the fireplace and enjoying the mountain and lake view from his home. He particularly enjoyed The Hatchery, where he cultivated local friendships as well as the opportunity to socialize with friends from Greenwich, in Vermont as well.
Fred is survived by his children: Catherine Potter McEvoy (Kevin) of Greenwich; Frederick J. Whelan, III (Mary Jo) of Greenwich; Christopher Marshall Whelan (Maria Elena) of Sounderstown, Rhode Island, and Andrew Duncan Whelan (Renwick) of Greenwich. In addition, "Pop" is survived by his grandchildren: Sarah, J, Nita, Chase, Catherine, Miranda and Winona. He is survived by his sister, Marsha Virginia Whelan, of Greenwich. He was pre-deceased by the mother of his children, Sally Johnson Whelan, and is survived by his former wife, Elizabeth Linck, of Green Valley, AZ.
Fred had the privilege of many long time and caring friends, including, Jim, Carolyn, Rick, John, Patricia, and Marie, who were unwavering in their interest in him, even when he could no longer socialize outside his home; stopping by and calling regularly. Fred found creative ways to stay connected to family and friends during Covid. He enjoyed his Sunday drive-by visits; distancing from friends in the car; and beers with his golfing friends from Innis Arden, even when he could no longer partake in drink. Fred was touched when his college roommate, Shane McCarthy, Facetimed him to sing him Happy Birthday, on what would be his last birthday, just a few weeks before he passed.
The family would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Dr. Remi Rosenberg, Cathy Costello, Emanuel Arthur, and Doris Osei-ko Fi, from Visiting Angels, and Marie.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Roch Church, 10 St. Roch Avenue, Greenwich. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Greenwich. There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to one's favorite charity.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com