William Whealan Obituary - Eastchester, New York | Westchester Funeral Home
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William M.
Whealan Jr.

December 23, 1932 – December 17, 2020

William Whealan
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Obituary for William M. Whealan Jr.

William Michael (Bill) Whealan, Jr., 87, a longtime resident of Eastchester, New York, passed away with his family by his side on December 17, 2020. Bill is survived by his five loving children, David Whealan (Maria), Bernadette Silverstein, John Whealan (Elysa Blacker), Paul Whealan, and Regina Smith (Peter), and seven adoring grandchildren, Benjamin Silverstein, Diana Whealan, Julia Whealan, Eamon Smith, Madeline Silverstein, Liam Smith, and Andrew Whealan, who affectionately call him Pop Pop. Bill is predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Virginia Whealan (nee O'Connor), his firstborn daughter, Mary, and his parents, Julia Divine Whealan and William Michael Whealan, Sr.
Bill was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on December 23, 1932 to Julia Divine Whealan and William Michael Whealan, Sr. He spent his early years in Springfield, attending grammar school there, and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Nutley, New Jersey and Indianapolis, Indiana, where the family relocated for Bill Sr.'s work with Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. A gifted storyteller, children and grandchildren were captivated by tales of his walks, a mile in the snow, to and from school, and back and forth for lunch. It was in his youth that Bill's lifelong passion for baseball began, attending major and minor league games with his father, and then taking the train on his own to spend Saturdays at the closest ballpark. Throughout his long life, from firsthand experience and historical knowledge, Bill revered the game, its teams and players, and all statistics could be recited at will. He saw some of the greats play, and achieved a lifelong goal of visiting every ballpark in a city he stayed in. After Bill's family, baseball was his greatest love.
Bill graduated high school from Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, New York, and went on to attend Manhattan College, where he initially majored in Pre-Med and went on to attain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Labor Management. In his Senior year, Bill met his future wife, Mary, a Sophomore at Marymount College, at a Manhattan College Valentine's Day dance, and the couple became engaged upon Bill's graduation from Manhattan College. Bill pursued a Master’s Degree in Labor Economics at Purdue University. When Mary obtained her degree, the couple was married on August 18, 1956 at Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe.
Bill and Mary moved to Indianapolis to complete his studies, then returned to the family home in Eastchester, New York, to begin raising a family. Bill began work at the Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan. Bill proudly served as Private First Class in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960, and for four years in the U.S. Army Reserves, conducting Intelligence at Fort Holbrook in Baltimore, Maryland. While stationed in Baltimore, Bill attended Orioles games in his free time. Following his Honorable Discharge, Bill returned to his family in Eastchester, New York, and his work at the Federal Reserve Bank. His career would later take him to the New York Stock Exchange, Management Assistance International, Loral Electronics, and Johnson and Higgins. When Bill retired in 1999, he continued to work part-time for Hertz Rental Cars, and as a consultant.
Family was everything to Bill, and he worked tirelessly to champion his five children and seven grandchildren. He impressed upon them the value of education and hard work, and was a constant and proud fixture at every academic honor, every recital, play and musical performance, and on the sideline of every sporting event. Bill was happy behind the wheel, driving children then grandchildren everywhere they needed to go for many years. When he had to hang up his keys, family and Uber continued to provide him full access to these cherished experiences. Bill enjoyed simple pleasures, computer projects, history, sitting in his yard, swimming, Talk Radio, Honeymooners reruns, the McDonald's Drive Thru, his beloved NY Mets and Yankees, and family dinners. He saw his first grandson become a Doctor, and followed closely the path of every grandchild's career and academic pursuits, talking with them, guiding them, and celebrating them. Bill was a warrior against aging, health struggles, and won a valiant battle against Covid-19 in March. He greeted every new day with gratitude, optimism, and with purpose, setting his Hey Google alarm, scheduling exercise, and looking forward to ice cream days. He was an extraordinary father and grandfather, and his legacy is a humble and heartfelt message of love and appreciation. To quote Pop, "Every day is Father's Day, and I am so blessed."
A Mass of the Holy Eucharist to celebrate Bill's life will be scheduled at a later date. Donations can be made to Immaculate Conception School, where Bill and Mary’s children attended elementary school, 53 Winter Hill Road, Tuckahoe, NY, 10707, https://icschoolonline.org/donate
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