John P. "Jake" Whalen

John P. "Jake" Whalen, Sr., age 85, passed away peacefully at Mass General Hospital in Boston on Monday, March 27, 2017. Born in Boston on June 7, 1931, he was the son of the late Patrick and Margaret (Loftus) Whalen. He was raised in West Roxbury, enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Korean War with the 8th Calvary Regiment and was honorably discharged in July of 1954, after earning the rank of Private First Class. Upon his discharge from the Army, he returned to his hometown of West Roxbury and started his plumbing apprenticeship.

Jake married his beloved wife, Arlene F. Dennehy, on October 15, 1955 and they soon moved in above his mother "Mama Peggy" in West Roxbury to their two family on Sanborn Ave. Jake took a position with the Plumbers Union, Local 12 in Boston. He worked for several companies and was later promoted to foreman, overseeing much of the work. In 1969, he and Arlene moved to Walpole, on South Street, to raise their family. Jake continued his career with the Local 12, retiring in 1993, after 40 years of dedicated service. Even in his retirement, he was frequently sought out for plumbing advice by family and friends, which he continued to provide up until just a few weeks ago. Jake also spent much of his life mentoring and supporting others.

Jake's independence was always important to him and he loved to spend time with one of his loving friends or family. One of his most memorable trips was taking his whole family to Ireland. Together, they visited the old family homestead and spent time learning about Jake's mother and father's life.

Beloved husband of the late Arlene F. (Dennehy) Whalen.
Loving father of Maureen P. Powers and her husband Paul of Easton, Jack Whalen, Jr. of Walpole, Diane T. Sepe and her husband Christopher of Wrentham, Kathleen D. Whalen of Northborough, and Thomas B. Whalen of Walpole.
Cherished grandfather of Sean Whalen, Taryn Powers Surabian, Ryan Whalen, Kerin Whalen, Jeffrey Powers, Timothy Sepe, Lauren Powers, Chelsea Sepe, and Shannon Sepe and great grandfather of Grace Whalen, Oscar Surabian, and Payton Medina.
Brother of Margaret "Peggy" Wattendorf of Scituate.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Jake's Life Celebration on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 4-8 PM and Friday, March 31, 2017 from 11-11:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 12 Noon. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The American Lung Association of the Northeast, 1661 Worcester Road, #301, Framingham, MA 01701.