James Whelan

Visitation Monday 4:00PM - 8:00PM
Funeral Mass Tuesday 10:00 AM St. Ignatius Martyr RC Church
Please log onto https://beachcatholic.com/watch/ to watch the funeral mass live.
Private Cremation
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of James "Jim" Whelan of Jensen Beach, FL and Island Park, NY on August 13th, 2025 due to complications from a heart attack two months prior. Jim was 78 years old and was a beloved husband, father, brother, and "Pop". Jim is survived by his wife Susan, his sons James (wife, Alexis) and Joseph (wife, Christine), his brothers Michael and Patrick and grandchildren Claire, Gavin, Maggie, and Jack. Jim was predeceased by his daughter Jaime Whelan, mother Margaret (Mullany), and father Joseph Whelan.
Jim grew up in Woodside, Queens and Stuyvesant Town, Manhattan and spent a lot of time with family in Hill and Dale in Lake Carmel, NY before marrying Susan and moving to Long Beach, NY and then Island Park, NY to raise a family and build many lifelong friendships. Upon retirement, Jim and Sue spent their winters in Jensen Beach, FL, where they developed a new circle of friends centered around their neighborhood and the Jensen Beach Golf Club.
A great athlete during his childhood, Jim played baseball in high school at Power Memorial in Manhattan and then later in college at Biscayne College (FL). In his later years, he became an avid golfer. Nothing made him happier than golfing with his sons, brothers, cousins, and friends on the annual Whelan golf trip.
He was proud of 35+ years of service for the US Government, including 25 years with US Customs and then 10+ years with the Port Authority of NY/NJ. Jim was a survivor of the 9/11 terror attacks as he was on the 77th floor of the North Tower when the first plane hit and made it out just a few minutes before it collapsed while helping others to safety.
Jim was with his wife, sons and brothers as he took his final breaths and passed peacefully.
A wake to honor and celebrate Jim will be held at Christoper T. Jordan Funeral Home at 302 Long Beach Road in Island Park, NY on Monday, August 18th from 4:00PM-8:00PM. Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, August 19th at St. Ignatius Martyr Church at 721 West Broadway, Long Beach, NY at 10:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made to The Jaime Whelan Foundation (www.jaimewhelanfoundation.org/donations).