Thomas J. Whelan Jr.
Thomas J. Whelan Jr., 85, of Cape Coral, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at Gulf Coast Hospital with his loving family by his side. He was born Oct. 15, 1923, in Bronx, N.Y., and grew up in Woodlawn, N.Y.
He joined the U.S. Navy at 17, serving in the Pacific Theater in World War II.
He wed Joan Swanson on Oct. 29, 1955. They raised a family of six children in Deer Park on Long Island, N.Y., before retiring to Cape Coral in November 1994.
He was a successful commodities trader in Manhattan for more than two decades. He was a longtime supporter of the Boy Scouts and an active member of the VFW, as well as a member of the Lions and the Knights of Columbus on Long Island. He was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church.
He took enjoyment in cooking for his family, as well as for the VFW where he earned a reputation as a capable chef. He was devoted to his family and will be remembered as a great father, grandfather and uncle, and for his generosity to everyone.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan; sister, Muriel Whelan of Bronx, N.Y.; children, Thomas John (Stacey) Whelan III of Tampa, Fla., Mark (Carla) Whelan of Long Island, N.Y., Stephanie Whelan of Long Island, N.Y., and Louise (Greg) Bellomy, Christopher Whelan and Kenneth Whelan, all of Cape Coral; and grandsons, Thomas John “T.J.” Whelan IV, Jason Whelan, Alex Whelan, Erik Whelan, Christopher Leavens and Mathew Bellomy.
He was predeceased by a grandson, James Leavens, who died in 1987.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at Coral Ridge Funeral Home on Pine Island Road. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, with burial to follow at 1 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Highway 72, Sarasota.