Hubert Graham Whalen
August 5, 1949 to June 20, 2024
Obituary
Graham (Hubert) Whalen, D. VOC. ED, born August 5, 1949, passed peacefully away on June 20, 2024, aged 74 years. He was born in Freshwater, Placentia Bay. Predeceased by his parents, Wesley and Olive and his brother Frederick Whalen. He was also predeceased by his beloved and forever missed daughter, Nancy, an accomplished physician, of whom he was very proud.
Leaving to mourn, his endlessly devoted son Wesley (Erica Clarke Whalen), sister Linda (Bob Woodman), and brothers David, and Ken (Diane Whalen). He also leaves to mourn his loving aunt Ruby Whelan and a large circle of extended family and friends in both Newfoundland and Saskatchewan. Special thanks to friends Linda and Tom Doody for their support and good company on his recent return to Newfoundland.
Graham forged a life in mechanics and small business, which started at a young age in his family Garage and Gas Bar in Dunville, Newfoundland. As an auto body technician, mechanic and welder, he devoted much of his career to teaching his craft in both the high school and post-secondary vocational systems. He was also devoted to his Christian faith and spent many years preaching in both the Pentecostal and Salvation Army congregations. A strong family man, Graham loved his children and worked very hard to ensure they have a good upbringing and fruitful life. Graham was also a lover of anything space and was an avid stargazer. The night sky absolutely fascinated him and he could often be found out star gazing on some far reaching Prairie grid road with Sheba in tow.
There will be a Visitation at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Rd. on Monday, June 24, 2024 from 10:00 – 12 noon. A celebration of life will follow and will be held at The Salvation Army Citadel (174 Mundy Pond Road) at 2:00 pm. Interment to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
A donation can be made in his honor to Salvation Army St. John’s West Citadel.
A Psalm of David.
“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD, all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His Temple.”
PSALM 27, (verse 4).
Schedule
Visitations
10 a.m.-12 p.m. on June 24, 2024
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
2:00pm, Monday June 24th
Salvation Army, St. John's West Corps
Interment to follow in Salvation Army Cemetery, Blackmarsh Road.
Our hearts and prayers are with Wes Erica and the entire family at the passing of Graham our best friend for many years we wouldn’t see you on this side of the earth anymore but we are hoping to see you in heaven
Wesley, I was so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Sending my condolences and thinking of you at this difficult time. Take care.
Ken
I am sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
Condolences to Ken and the Whelan family on.Graham’s passing.Graham was a hard working skilled tradesman and always up beat.
Ken and Dianne
So sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you.
Regards
Dave Taylor
Wes
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dads passing sending my sincere condolencess to your family. May your Dad rest in peace.
We met Graham at coffee row in Yorkton. A very nice man who we had many a nice conversations with.. Gone to soon rest in peace Graham.
Our heart goes out to you for the loss of Graham.
Family was so important to him.
God bless
George and Catherine Marshall, Dunville.
So sorry to hear of Graham’s passing. Sending my most sincere condolences to all the family. I have many fond memories of Graham growing up together in Dunville.
I was so sorry to hear of Graham’s passing. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. “Speak his name and he will be forever by your side.”
Our condolences to Graham’s family. May he rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss, Wes. May the good Lord bless and keep you during this difficult time.
Wes,
I’m so sorry for your loss. My
A true man of God and a blessing to anyone who had the true and sweet pleasure of knowing him. I met Graham when I was attending the church in Yorkton.
I enjoyed participating with him on the worship team and doing the kettle count during the Christmas holiday.. he was an expert at holding and filling up a role of dimes, that I always struggled to achieve! He had a fresh wit and a true sense of humour.
I cannot imagine the joy he must have, being with the Lord in Heaven now. No more pain.. just eternal peace and comfort. It was an honor to have known him. My deepest sympathy to all his family.
So sorry to hear of Grahams passing , sending sincere condolences to his family & friends , so happy to have seen & spoke with him & Wes ion Oct 4th, at the HSC, ,made Jim’s day special as well, Special memories , R I P you will be forever missed , God Bless
So many memories of Graham during my childhood years where I spent endless days with his kids on Station Hill. His dad jokes were always the best! Sending condolences to Wes, Aunt Linda, Dave and Ken, love and miss you all.
“That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained respect and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his tasks; who leaves the world better than he found it; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
It is with profound sadness that we extend our sincere sympathy to Graham’s family. He was a very special person and embodied so much of the previous quote. It has been our great fortune to have known him for over 50 years and especially these past few months. As the days and weeks passed, we came to know so much more about his life and qualities.
He could speak with a depth of knowledge on just about any topic you could imagine ranging from astronomy to politics. He was an expert storyteller with a mischievous sense of humour. His retelling of the many exploits and adventures he experienced as he grew up in Dunville brought us so much laughter and so many delightful memories despite the fact he was dealing with his illness. He welcomed all who visited with enthusiasm and always thanked them with a “love you”, a hug, or a handshake. It was so obvious that he had a deep love for family and friends alike.
Graham’s chats about experiences in his chosen profession displayed a rare intelligence and you could easily see he was an expert problem solver. He was highly trained in his field and shared his knowledge as an educator in many different contexts. After retiring he spent a great deal of time substituting in schools in southern Saskatchewan. He taught everything from auto body, welding, language arts, drama, to physical education. One little boy stopped him in the corridor one day and asked him when he would teach his class as he said, “Everyone loves Mr. Whalen.” He certainly was well-loved as a teacher. His students were not the only beneficiaries of his knowledge and skill, but also friends and acquaintances who needed an issue resolved. Many times he recounted how he had helped someone who had a problem with their car. One evening while we visited a lady called from Saskatchewan and he helped her resolve a problem with her water heater. He met every request with a helpful response. His kindness knew no bounds.
“The best portion of a good man’s life, his little nameless, unremembered, acts of kindness and love.” – William Wordsworth
Graham was also a man of deep faith and social conscience. While living in Saskatchewan, he was involved in activities to help those less fortunate, and those who needed the encouraging words from scripture which he shared in many sermons he gave. Sacred music was something he has been sharing all his life as well, beginning as young teen in church in Dunville. Despite dealing with the ravages of his illness and treatment when he returned to Newfoundland, he attended services at the Mundy Pond Salvation Army as long as he could physically do so. There he rededicated his commitment to his faith at one of the services he attended.
“The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature.” – A. P. Prevost
Lastly, Graham’s role as a father knew no bounds. His love for his two children was immeasurable. In every conversation, Nancy and Wes were spoken of with pride and love.
A friend once commented about a person who had passed away that, “He was a man worth knowing.” Of the many things that could be said about our dear friend Graham is just that. He certainly was a man worth knowing. Our life has been so enriched by having known him and experiencing his courage, compassion, friendship, and love. He has given us all such an example of a life well-lived. We are so very thankful for his journey through our lives, but we will miss him beyond measure.
The storybook character Winnie the Pooh once said, “If there ever comes a day we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”
Those who touch our lives, stay in our hearts forever.
Wishing Graham’s family and friends peace and strength in the days to come.
Much love,
Linda and Tom Doody
Linda, Dave, Ken, Wesley & families,
Please accept our deepest condolences. We are sorry to learn about Graham’s passing. Praying that God’s gentle spirit will bring you comfort and strength during your season of grief.
Blessings,
Bill, Carolann & Rebecca-Ann
Condolences to The Whalen Family! Hold your wonderful memories of Graham
Wesley, Linda, David and Ken, Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of such a dear, wonderful person in your lives. I had not seen Graham for several years, but the picture posted is as I remember him.. His suffering if over. Cherish the memories and hold them in your heart.
So sorry to hear about Graham’s passing , our thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss of this wonderful person. May you and your family cherish the many memories as you pass through this difficult time. Sending you our thoughts and prayers and may he forever rest in peace.
Condolences to his family
Sending our deepest heartfelt condolences to all Graham’s family 💙🙏 I have a lot of fond memories from my younger years . RIP Graham 🙏
Mervale & Eileen
Sending deepest condolences to the entire Whalen family. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Condolences to Wesley and all of Grahams family. I always kept Graham tucked in a special place in my heart,and I will always keep him there.God willing we will meet up again .
So sorry to hear of grahams passing we spent a lot of good times together he is like me other brother glad he is now at peace resting again with is little darling Nancy see you again on the other side with the bright stars shinning and condolences to the family Wes your were is pride and he was indeed proud to call you his son
Wesley sending you my deepest condolences. Your father was a very special man. He helped me out many years ago and I always held a special place for him in my heart for him. Sending you and your family strength to navigate this new chapter.
Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
It is with deepest sympathy, I write this message to Graham’s family.
Please know that you are all very much in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending a whole lot of love and hugs to you as you go through this difficult time.
Cherish the memories you all shared together as family.
(((( Hugs )))) ~ Sylvia Crane ( Marshall)