Joseph ‘Joe’ Whalen
Passed on: January 15th, 2018
With sadness, we, the entire family of Joseph Leo Whalen ‘Smokey Joe’, wish to announce Dad’s passing into his Glory on Monday, January 15, 2018, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. Although we will miss Dad deeply, we take comfort in knowing he has great joy.
Born September 26, 1926, in Sydney, he was the son of the late James and Alice (Bonnell) Whalen.
A veteran of WWII, Dad served with the Merchant Navy, sailing during the Battle of the Atlantic and Pacific. Dad took great pride in being a Merchant Marine and sailing the seas. Even after WWII, Dad continued to sail, helping to rebuild Europe. Dad mentioned he didn’t like sailing the Great Lakes because he could always see land. After retiring, Dad enjoyed doing wood crafts and folk art, some of his crafts can be viewed at the Folk Art Museum in Halifax. He was a member of Holy Redeemer Parish, Whitney Pier, as well as the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 128, Whitney Pier.
Joe is survived by his wife, the love of his life for 69 years of marriage, Theresa (Power); daughter, Catherine (James) Newell; sons, James (Jan) and John; sister, Mary; brothers, Ronald and Reginald; 13 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his son, Joseph; sisters, Theresa Stanley and Dorothy Weeks, and brothers, James, Raymond and Bernard.
Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Friday, January 19 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Holy Redeemer Church on Saturday, January 20 at 10 a.m., with Rev. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment in New Calvary Cemetery (weather permitting).
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
