John J. Whalen

John Joseph Whalen – 77, of Scituate, passed away on the morning of July 19, 2022 at Seasons Hospice House in Milton, MA after a difficult battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Patricia (Dwyer) Whalen, with whom he shared 44 years of marriage. He was the son of the late John and Rose (Smith) Whalen.

Born in Boston, John grew up in Newton Corner where he spent many enjoyable afternoons playing football and baseball with his friends in Viles Field by the railroad tracks.

As a graduate of Newton North High School, Class of 1962, he went on to attend Boston University, graduating with a bachelors degree in political science. He later obtained a masters degree in education from Boston State College, a bachelors degree in accounting from Bentley University and a nursing degree from Labourè College.

John worked many jobs during and after his years of schooling. He worked as a unit manager at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, worked for AT&T and the IRS. He served ten years in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1983-1993. While working for St. Elizabeth’s, John met Patricia in 1976. The two were married at the Newman Center Chapel in Plattsburgh, NY in 1978. The following year they settled down in Scituate, MA where they lived for 43 years and raised their two children. In 2014, John retired from the Hanover Branch of Social Security after many years of dedicated service.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed skiing, ice skating, jogging, traveling with his family, playing cards and spending time socializing with friends. Known for his sense of humor, John was always one to crack jokes and make those around him laugh. He was an avid reader with an interest in storytelling and writing, and was open to learning about new things, especially in the areas related to history and science.

John is survived by his wife Patricia and his two children; Peter, who is stationed out in the state of Washington, and Sarah, who currently resides in Scituate. John was loved by his sisters-in-law, Wanda, Carol, Debbie and Brenda, and brothers-in-law, Tom and Paul, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 5-8 pm at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate, MA 02066. A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 11 am at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent Street, Scituate, MA 02066.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of John’s memory to Tunnel to Towers and the American Cancer Society.