Thursday, September 14, 2017
I was sorry to learn of Jim's sudden passing -- it came as a shock. "Whale" and I became good friends at St Francis De Sales Grade School in Philadelphia, where we were paired a couple of times in the annual "block collection" (i.e., parish priest visitation). I was a guest at the Whelan home on many occasions, where I was always received warmly by his parents and sisters...such a nice family.
Jim and I would get together on a semi-regular basis through high school and college, not so much after careers, marriages, and moving further geographically apart came into the picture. Even so, I always followed Jim's political career with avid interest: if there ever was a guy who had all the right qualities -- honesty, ethics, fair play, and compassion -- to serve as an elected official and actually HELP people, it was Jim Whelan. I always admired Jim and felt honored to be able to call him my friend.
I am sorry I could not attend the memorial service, and I send my deepest condolences to Jim's wife and son, and his sisters, Ellen and Nancy.
