WHELAN - Mr. Joseph Whelan passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at the Battlefords Union Hospital. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, January 3, 2014 @ 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Father Anthony Afanagide presiding. Vigil of Prayer was held on Thursday, January 2, 2014 @ 7:00 p.m. with Betty Stone presiding. Both services were held from St. Joseph Calasanctius Roman Catholic Parish. The cross bearer was Christopher Turley. The first reading was read by Kari Rooks-Whelan. Anita Verlangen sang the Responsorial psalm, "Let Us Go Rejoicing". The second reading was read by Marilyn Whelan. Prayers of the Faithful were recited by Pierrette Turley. Gifts bearers were Rosella Verlangen and Carol Hepp. The St. Joseph's Music Ministry provided the music with pianist, Sylvie Masich and director, Theo Masich. As a soloist, Anita Verlangen sang "Ave Maria". The Honorary Pallbearers were "everyone who was a part of Joe's life". Memorial Donations in memory of Joseph Whelan may be directed to the Saskatchewan Heart & Stroke Foundation. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium. Condolences for the family may be left at Joseph is survived by his wife, Rita and his children, Randy (Kari) Whelan of Marwayne, Alberta; Maureen (Michael) Hudec and their children, Patrick, Matthew, and Andrew of North Battleford, Saskatchewan; Trevor (Marilyn) Whelan and their children, Braden, Chantal, and Katrina of Turtleford, Saskatchewan; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert (Bertha) Whelan; sister, Beryl and brother-in-law, Grant Turley. The Eulogy was read by Darryl Turley, nephew to Joseph. Joseph William Whelan was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on May 17, 1932. At the age of two, he was adopted by Robert and Bertha Whelan from Kyle, Saskatchewan where he grew up with his sister, Beryl. As a child, he was expected to do many chores around the farm including scaring the chickens from their nests to gather the eggs, chasing skunks out of the chicken coop, and milking the cows. When he started school, his sister Beryl was his teacher and math was his favourite subject. For enjoyment, he loved bike riding, playing the piano, and making his own toys. As he grew older, he enjoyed playing all sports especially baseball, hockey, golf and curling. His claim to fame was that the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in giving him a tryout as a goalie, but the day the scout was in town he couldn't find Joe because Joe was on his way to boot camp. He swore that Johnny Bauer owed his career to that missed opportunity. Uncle Joe finished high school at St. Thomas College in North Battleford, and then he became a journeyman sheet metal worker. He worked in Saskatoon in that trade. While living in Saskatoon, he met his future wife, Rita through a church young people's club, and they were married in 1961. Joe often joked that he was so good looking that Rita accepted his marriage proposal despite the fact that while playing goal that night he'd suffered a broken nose and two black eyes from a puck in the face! Joe and Rita had three children Randy, Maureen and Trevor. The family spent most of their years in Marsden where Joseph and Rita owned and operated the hotel and later the grocery store. During this time, Joe also continued to work in the sheet metal business. In Joe's spare time, he could be found at all of his children's sporting events where he was an umpire, referee, or volunteering as a goal judge. One of the kid's fondest memory of their Dad was when he would play the piano at 3:00 in the morning and they would think it couldn't get any worse until he started singing. He was also very involved in the church including, the Knights of Columbus, choirs, communion minister and lector. After the children graduated, Joe and Rita spent 10 years in Major managing the Co-op store. When they retired from the Co-op, they moved to North Battleford where Joe worked part time as a commissionaire. He also spent countless hours enjoying their six grandchildren, Patrick, Matthew, Andrew, Braden, Chantal, and Katrina. Grandpa spent many hours in his woodworking shop making all kinds of toys including, trucks, cars, barns, a dollhouse, and swords for his grandchildren. When not in his shop, he was an avid cribbage player often losing to Rita and skunking the grandchildren. He was loved and will be missed by his family and friends. Cards of Thanks The family of Joseph Whelan would like to thank family and friends for their support and prayers through this difficult time. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated. Words cannot express how much your compassion means to us.
