David Whalen

Whalen, David
SARATOGA LAKE - David Whalen, "Ticker," 75, of Saratoga Lake, N.Y., passed away on November 7, 2025, at Saratoga Hospital, after a long and heroic battle with multiple cancers and advanced heart disease. Just one day shy of his 76th birthday.
He was born on November 8, 1949, in Troy, N.Y. He was the son of the late Tom Whalen and Noreen Whalen, of Stillwater, N.Y.
David graduated a three-sport varsity athlete (football, basketball and baseball), from Stillwater High School in 1967. He then went on to play baseball at Ulster Community College, earning a Degree in Physical Education. A few years late earned a second Degree in History from Hudson Valley Community College.
He enlisted in the United States Army in 1970, and served as a combat medical corpsman in Germany during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1973.
David met the love of his life in 1974, Elizabeth Ann Walsh. They were married in Troy, N.Y., in 1979. They celebrated 46 years together this past April. Together, they had one child, Jamie Whalen.
David worked for General Electric in Waterford for 36 years, before retiring in 2010. After retiring, he worked parttime as a bus driver for the Saratoga Springs City School District, until 2017, at which time he fully retired.
David, in his younger years, played on several adult league softball and basketball teams. He later developed a passion for coaching his daughter's basketball teams through 8th grade. He then coached AAU girls' basketball for several years for the Uncle Sam Lady Hoopsters. After retirement, he enjoyed being outside and taking care of his lawn. He would always ensure that his lawn was cut, and that there were lots of flowers blooming. He also had a real passion for chicken wings and Sam Adam's beer.
In addition to leaving behind his beloved wife and daughter; David leaves behind a sister, Nancy Crawford (Stephen); along with a sister in law, Marianne Vasco (John); a brother-in law, Thomas Walsh (Maureen); and sister in-law, Kathy Carson (Eric). David also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. Ticker was lifelong friends with Pat Carney, Biff Baker, Mike Reilly, Mike Starks and Pat Minick, who stood by him till the very end.
David loved his dogs Zoey and Katie. He often posted his dogs, along with sunset pictures of Saratoga Lake, on Facebook. David was also very excited to become a first-time grandfather to Ryan James. He will now be watching over him and keeping him safe.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to his doctors, Dr. Scott Purga, Dr. Numan Rashid, Dr. John Delmonte, Dr. Rahim Dhanai, and PA Mitch Forshey, for their excellent care over the past several years.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m., on Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 729 Hudson Ave., Stillwater. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, at All Saints on the Hudson Church, Stillwater. Burial with military honors will follow in the Saratoga National Cemetery.
Memorial donations in David's memory may be directed to Free To Be Me Rescue, 154 Delaware Ave., Delmar, N.Y. 12054.
Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com