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James J. "Jay" Whelihan
2/18/2020


CHICOPEE – James J. “Jay” Whelihan, 57, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on October 25, 1962, a beloved son of the late James H. and Eva M. (Rothus) Whelihan. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School, attended Holyoke Community College and lived in Holyoke before moving to Fairview in 2007. He served his country in the United States Air Force in Japan in support of Operation Desert Storm with the 374th Maintenance Squadron and attained the rank of Senior Airman. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Overseas Ribbon and the Air Force Longevity Service Award. He was employed as a Supervisor with the United States Post Office in West Hartford, CT. Active in his Catholic faith, he was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee where he also served as a Eucharistic Minister, a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Instructor for 25 years and a longtime volunteer of the Church Bingo. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 in Chicopee. During his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, playing video and computer games and listening to music, especially Irish music. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Anne Marie (Brodeur) Whelihan. They were married on July 19, 1986 at Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 33 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving children, Nathaniel J. Whelihan and Brittany M. Whelihan, both of Chicopee; his dear sister, Katrina A. Scelza and her husband, Jack, of Rocky Hill, CT; his dear mother-in-law, Doris (Bernier) Brodeur of Chicopee; his two dear brothers-in-law, David O. Brodeur and his wife, Lisa, of Chicopee and Thomas A. Brodeur and his wife, Sharon, of Rockland, MA; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Whelihan and Brodeur families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear sister, Mary E. Roberts; and his dear father-in-law, John J. Brodeur. His funeral will be held on Monday, February 24, 2020 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 7:45 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, February 23, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels
13 Dale Street
Chicopee, MA USA 01020
413-532-9806