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JOSEPH WHALEN Obituary
JOSEPH WHALEN "Joe"
Entered into his peaceful eternal rest on September 13, 2016. Beloved son of the late Congressman Charles Whalen (Dayton, Ohio) and his wife, Barbara. Survived by his wife, Katherine Zoe Andrews; three brothers, Chip, Dan and Ted; and two sisters, Anne (McLindon) and Mary (Scherer). Joe was a favorite uncle of his many nieces and nephews who always enjoyed his great sense of humor, youthfulness, love of sports and zest for life. He also leaves his dog, Lucy. A former student at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and the University of Dayton, he was a sportswriter for the Washington Post and Sports Editor of the West Chester, PA Daily Local. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at Noon on September 20, 2016 at the Church of the Little Flower, 5607 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD. The family will receive friends at the church starting at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the family plot in Dayton, Ohio.
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Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH WHALEN
Natalie Smith Schickling
March 26, 2017
I'm so, so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I worked with him at the Daily Local News in West Chester, Pa. He was so sharp, so funny and told a great story. He had a big heart. Mine goes out to all his family and friends.
A UD Classmate
October 25, 2016
To the Whalen Family,
I was a classmate of Joe's at the University of Dayton. The minute everyone met him, they immediately liked him. I can remember Joe being friendly to everyone he encountered. It's hard to forget that great smile on his face, whenever you ran into him on campus.
He was a remarkable person, who brought joy to so many in the Class of 1987, and he won't be forgotten. We all enjoyed catching up with him at our last Reunion.
My condolences to your family. May he rest in peace.
John Hogan
October 18, 2016
Dear Kathrine, Mrs. Whalen and the entire Whalen Family,
It's been several weeks since Joe's funeral but I still cannot find the words to adequately express my condolences. I loved Joe. He was a great and loyal friend. Thinking of him and the good times we spent at UD and beyond will always bring a smile to my face.
Joe will be missed. Rest in Peace Joe,
eric mangiardi
October 13, 2016
Hi Joe, Love ya man. From the brief time we had together the energy was always Majic!!!! From the Jimmy Snukas off the stairs, to broken legs, to laughing uncontrollably, to seeing you a few years back at the UD Reunion as if we had not missed a beat. Only great times in my mind about and with you!. Lots of love now and eternally!
Peter Kraft
October 11, 2016
Dear Whalen Family and Kathrine: The Kraft family sends all our love and support in the passing of Joe. He was a total force of vitality. To know him was to love him and those of us that were blessed to be close to him are very fortunate. He had a vicious intellect and a wild soul with an indestructible spirit. He brought happiness to all that he contacted making us all feel like superstars. Thanks for all the good times Joe you live strong in our hearts' and memories.
Melody Kerr
September 27, 2016
Sending condolences to family and friends.
During this difficult time it is heartwarming to hear of impressionable moments from people. I will always remember his enthusiasm for Kath,Lucy and of course climbing.
RIP Joe
Jane
September 22, 2016
Simply heartbroken.
Therese Shields
September 21, 2016
As the days go by and the reality that Joe is gone from us sinks in, so many memories keep flooding my awareness. I have known Joe since college as he dated my sister Noel. For so many years he was a part of our family. We travelled to Europe together one summer, we went for glider rides at Sugerbush in Vermont, and he spent countless hours at the Shields house. We loved him with all of our hearts because that is what Joe engendered in all who met him. My mother had such a special and unshakeable place in her heart for Joe and I am sure she was near the front of the line to greet him at the pearly gates. He used to bring her back little gifts from his worldly travels. One was a small crucifix from Poland that she always kept hanging above a door. When she passed away I took the cross and hung it in my home as a way to keep Joe in our hearts. And there it will stay, while in my heart he will remain. Joe was brilliant in mind and spirit, passionate, genuine, fiercely loyal and kind, and he will be deeply missed by the Shields family. Rest peacefully dear friend. xoxo
Paull Fearey
September 20, 2016
So very sad to hear this news, but it won't shake the memories from great days in Spring Hill. Wish we could go back to those good times! From your buddy on Cammack Drive. Rest in Peace, Joe.
Bill Raynor
September 20, 2016
Joe may you rest in peace. To the Whalen family and all of Joe's friends, prayers of sympathy and blessings for god's grace and comfort during this difficult time. The Whalen's are such a large part of my childhood memories, especially at Westbrook and Little Flower. As someone who shares with you the loss of a brother departed too soon, I wish you the solace that has come to me with time. I wish you the replacement of the pain and grief you feel now, with that of warmth from the special connection you carry to Joe's Love and Spirit. May the warmth of his spirit comfort your aching heart, lift your spirit, and be present in your soul the rest of your days. God bless you all.
Dale Shores
September 20, 2016
For your loss.May God provide tender comfort through his word the Bible during this most difficult time 2 Cor 1:3-7
RANDY HERNANDEZ
September 20, 2016
So sad to hear the news of Joe. Such fun memories. prayers from out hearts
Patrick Monaghan
September 19, 2016
Joe,
I'll never forget the adventures we shared on the trails, from the Devil's Path in the Catskills, to the Seward Range in the Adirondacks, to the Hell Brook Trail and that nasty bushwack up Mansfield in Vermont. You revealed something in me that I'm not sure I knew was there -- a love of hiking, of enjoying the solitude at the top of a mountain, the feeling of accomplishment of getting there. I plan on getting to the top of many more (probably not as many as you) and I know you'll be with me along the way. I look forward to hearing your voice when I feel I can't go another step -- "almost there, Patrick." Peace to you, bro. My deepest condolences to Katherine and the Whalen family.
Walter Stoeppelwerth
September 19, 2016
My deepest sympathies to entire Whalen family. The times that I spent with Joe and Tommy on our youthful road trips and in Washington were among the happiest of my life. Memorable times of hilarious laughter and outrageous stories. Joe's million dollar smile, his wicked sense of humor and his unabashed irreverence were all part of a hugely dynamic and warm personality that made him larger than life to those who knew him well. I cannot tell you how much you will be missed but you can rest easy that you left an indelible mark on my life and those of many others. You will be greatly missed.
Kath Creel
September 19, 2016
RIP Joe Whalen. Condolences to the Whalen Family.
Mindy and Glenn Davis
September 18, 2016
Dear Katherine and Whalen family - there is such a surreal sadness knowing that Joe is gone. That we will never have the opportunity to see his smile or hear his laugh. He was a unique, kind soul who will be truly missed. Our prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. We weep with you. So sorry we won't be able to attend in person but our hearts and prayers will be there.
Marta Mobille
September 18, 2016
Dearest Joe,
You reached the stars to young, you left us too soon... I just have to close my eyes and hear your laugh, you voice filling up the room, your striking personality full of energy ...and that will put a smile in my face.
Joe will always have a special place in our home, with pictures of Joe and Tommy hanging up on the walls of their multiples trips; listening to my son George talking about the book that Joe recommended him to read....
Unique, genuine, generous, such a great man Joe! You will be missed greatly in our home. Always in our hearts.
Marta, George, Natalia and Nick Mobille
Carol Walser
September 18, 2016
My deepest sympathies to the entire Whalen family. I will never forget Joe because he was such an important part of my childhood memories from Westbrook to Western! One of the craziest and nicest guys I had ever known!
May you rest in peace Joe Whalen!
Andrea Dahl
September 18, 2016
I remember Joe from our time at Western Jr High together and later when he shared a townhome in Georgetown with my brothers. He was always so happy, personable, funny, and full of life whenever I saw him. He passed away far too young. RIP Joe. My prayers are with your family right now. Andrea Dahl
Joe Shoemaker
September 18, 2016
Joe: I will always remember the day you were loading your car for another mountain climbing trip; you were heading to the Adirondack Mountains. But, this day a 2 foot snow had fallen. I informed you that while listening to the radio, the New York Thruway was backed up from Lake George to the New Jersey Turnpike: no problem you said, just another mountain to climb. I will always remember your gifted smile, your willingness to help during snowstorm and flood. Still, it is that smile of yours, Joe. Love you, Rest In Peace dear friend.
Holly Havens
September 18, 2016
Joe, Rocky and I miss you and wish you peace. Katherine, Lucy and the Whalen family, please accept my deepest sympathies. He was loved and is missed by us. Holly and Rocky, Lambertville NJ
Christine Coppola
September 17, 2016
Dearest Katherine and the Whalen family . My husband Ryan and I send our deepest prayers to all of you. Joe will always be in our memory as a unique honest warm witty loving dear friend. Talking with him was always so inspiring as he was so sharply intelligent and brutally honest . He always made you feel as if you were the most important person in the world. He was a gift and a bright light. We weep with you and we will never forget him.
September 17, 2016
Rest in Peace, Joe. I always loved your beautiful, warm spirit. May it live on. xoxo
Timothy Shields
September 17, 2016
Joe dated my sister Noel. We probably met when I was 11 and he was maybe 20. He was like an older brother to me. He came to many of my high school and college soccer games, and I loved to hear his animated retelling of the bench-clearing brawl that occurred in my high school county finals. He drove with me across country when I moved to Portland, OR, and when we got there, one of the first things we did was go to Powells Books. He bought me at least 10 books of authors he thought I should know. I idolized him and it's because of him I started keeping a journal and became a writer. I just finished my first book, and about two weeks ago I was thinking about how much I would love him to read it and get notes from him. He was a beautiful, gentle soul and generous beyond belief. Rest in peace, brother. I love you, miss you, and will always hold you close to my heart.
Phil & Nicole Crawford
September 17, 2016
Dear Katherine, Nicole and I are so deeply sorry and send our warmest sympathies. Although we won't be able to be in Bethesda on Tuesday, we'll be thinking of you that day and in the weeks and months to come. Please know that you have loyal friends all over the world and that we feel privileged to be among them...
Dave S
September 17, 2016
Sorry to read of Joe. If I am correct, he wrote a story about my daughter in the Daily Local 10 years ago. It was a very nice article - Joe really seemed to care about our youth and priorities in life.
John Woods
September 16, 2016
Katherine and members of the Whalen family, our hearts and support are with you now and later. Joe was a good man who was taken from all of us way too soon. May his spirit be in peace and joy for eternity. With our love, Phil & John
John Kerr
September 16, 2016
Katherine, our hearts go out to you -- my wife and I, and the whole Ergo Editorial team, want to offer our deepest condolences. These are hard times indeed, but we know you have the spirit, the energy, the resilience to come through, and one day, you will once more greet the radiant day with a smile and move forward with intent. You are very much in our thoughts. -- John Kerr
September 15, 2016
To the family and friends of Joe Whalen, the Kade family would like to express our deepest sympathy and recall what a cherished friend Joe was to all who knew him. A truly singular entity in his own right, Joe seemed to have a very personal and unique relationship with everyone he was close with. I can readily conjure up his laugh, smile, gait and gaze. He was an active player in so many of my fondest memories. I am feeling much older and more mortal today. Joe, your friends leaned on you, loved you, and will always remember you.
May you journey on in peace-
Sincerely,
TK
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