Capt. Edward Charles Whelan Jr.

What a Great Captain to serve under...

I first remember Ed & Johnnie coming to my birthday party in the early Sixties when I was four or five. Since Ed & Johnnie didn´t have kids yet, I got to call them by their first names! Ed was my Godfather & arrived to my party in uniform...awesome. Somewhere my Mom still has the photos. I remember my Dad & I attending Ed´s change of command ceremony in Newport & the ten hour drive each way up from the DC area was probably the most time this guy with eleven siblings got to spend alone with my father. I remembered it fondly last summer when I attended my own Godson´s graduation from OCS in Newport. Ed & Johnnie graciously opened their home in Newport to me & my then girlfriend/now wife as well as a couple of friends, during the thrilling 1983 America´s Cup. Some wonderful memories of this good man & his gracious wife.

Thank you for your Service May you be Granted Steady Winds and Calm Seas on your Journey to an Honorable and Restful Peace

TIM RYAN, Lt USN

I would like to send a message of Sympathy to the Whelan family. His daughter, Diane, thoughtfully passed on his biography to me after a discussion we had about how deeply we loved our families and the successes that we owed to
them. Diane mentored my daughter, Shannon and Shannon loved all that Diane did for her while Diane loved her parents and felt so blessed to have been their daughter.

Diane always thought that I should meet her Dad as we had a lot in common; great daughters, great families, both US Navy officers, both served on AKAs (his hull number was 98 and mine was 100), both deeply loved their families, both loved their country and were devoted to extending it's successes as the best one in history.

The Captain and I never met. Diane thoughtfully sent a copy of "Sea Stories", the biography of Captain Whelan, USN to me. After reading it I wished that I had. He was a really great person and did so much for everyone.

We will meet someday and I look forward to that, as I want to thank him for his service, his persona, his family and especially for Diane and his family, who loved him so much. I also wanted to thank him from the bottom of my heart for all that she did for my daughter.

So sorry for his loss. So appreciative for all that he did for all of us. So happy that he is with his Lord who loves him dearly as we all do.

Until then.......

I have many memories I could share about my times with Ed, however I´m choosing to go with something light. I was on his Monday counting team at St. Joseph´s for about 15 years. One thing you could always count on (besides his ability to never make a mistake), was his impeccable attire. Ed always showed up in a starched, white shirt, dress pants and a sport coat, putting Barbara and myself to shame!
My heartfelt memory and appreciation was how he and Johnnie helped me through some very difficult times

God bless you Captain Ed Whelan

Your friend
Roberta DeArman

Thank you for your service to our country from a grateful patriot.

My deepest condolences on the loss of Captain Whelan. I remember him from NETC Newport. He was a wonderful officer and a fine man. Captain and Mrs Whelan attended our wedding on May 31st, 1980 at the Chapel by the Sea, Newport. This is a snapshot of him at our wedding. May the perpetual light shine upon him.

Thank you for your military service

My earliest memories of the greatest Dad, ever! We admired him, respected him, loved him and laughed with him. Right up until the end. Diane (daughter)

Celebration of a special birthday for Captain Whelan!

I've known the Captain my whole life and from my earliest memories he was always the kindest, most gentile, as well as humorous man I've ever known. He and Johnnie were always so gracious to welcome me in their home for holiday celebrations when I first moved to California. My two favorite memories include his unique ability to tell a well-crafted joke or story, and the salute/handshake bit he and I developed early on and practiced every time we greeted each other. He was generous, kind, and loving. His devotion to his family and his faith was an inspiration. His sense of duty and honor was equally impressive. Thank you, Captain for the many years you gave us all.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Sir. Thank you for your selfless service to our Great Nation. May thee be forever at peace.