On November 16, Jack Whelan died. He was an incredible individual with a heart of gold. He didn’t have a bad bone is his body, except for the cancer ridden lesions and bone tumors. Jack fought until the very end. His love and devotion to his family kept him alive for longer than even the greatest medical minds predicted.
Jack embraced every aspect of his life with passion, enthusiasm and humor. Whether it was his time as a 2nd class Petty Officer in the United States Navy, sales executive, research analyst, patient advocate, or motivational speaker, he continuously reinvented himself and redefined success. As a father, he raised three fantastic, devoted and classy daughters. As a husband, he married his teenage sweetheart, creating a fairy tale love story that is sweeter and more true than most believe.
Jack is leaving behind his wife Jan of 48 years, three daughters, Laurie, Patti and Karen, three sons-in-law Chris, Matt and Aaron, 10 grandkids, Jenna, Kyle, Alex, Catie, Maddie, Norah, Victoria, Colin, Robbie, Conor, and thousands of friends and family. Additionally, he left us about 300 Thomas Edison Victrola’s, record players, cylinders that will be cherished. He loved restoring antique machines and showing them off to whomever would listen to the crackling sounds that came from the beautiful horns.
He had a brilliant mind, always eager to learn and face any challenge head on. When diagnosed with cancer over 10 years ago, there was little hope to cure this rare disease. When the standard of care treatment options had been presented for his incurable blood and prostate cancers, he wanted more because he wasn’t the standard. He embraced the innovative therapies for personalized medicine to target and treat his own, not yet curable cancers. This extended his life, while advancing clinical research, touching lives, and helping others with their own cancers along the way.
We will celebrate our Superman’s life beginning with his Funeral Mass at St. Michael Parish, 196 Main Street, North Andover on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Calling hours have been omitted. Interment will be held in the West Parish Garden Cemetery in Andover by the frog pond. Following the burial join us for lunch and a Guinness in Jack’s honor at the Andover Country Club, 60 Canterbury Street, Andover. Donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the American Association for Cancer Research, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.