Thomas Joseph Whalen
Dr. Thomas Joseph Whalen, 84, of Washington, passed from this life, Monday, August 2, 2021.
He was born November 25, 1936, in Philadelphia, son of the late Anne and Henry Whalen of Drexel Hill. He was a graduate of West Catholic High School and Villanova University where he studied economics and was involved in theater. He often spoke of his role in “Brigadoon” and he could sing. Afterwards, he served six years in the Marine Reserve and he went back to school for his pre-med courses at Temple and LaSalle Universities. He received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine.
He married Margaret “Peg” Keenan in 1960. When they came to Washington, for his internship at Washington Hospital, he enjoyed the area and people so much that he stayed and started his family practice in Peters Township in 1965. He practiced for 35 years in Peters Township and Washington Hospital; retired, and then practiced in Bentleyville, Centerville Clinic for five more years. He was very dedicated to the care of his patients. He was a physician who made house calls and delivered 1004 babies. In 1970 he and Peg, purchased “Foxglove Farm”, in Canonsburg, where they raised their five children and various animals. He was devoted to his family above all else.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and Lone Pine Golf Club. He was an avid golfer and loved golfing with “The Bandits”. He didn’t hit it long, but he hit it straight, and boy could he putt, with the guidance of “Beth”, his putter. He loved golfing at Lone Pine and spending time with his friends, of which there were many. He was known as a great storyteller; complete with embellishments and wonderful quotes; “never let your emotional self, rule your rational mind”, and “the past is full of regret and the future is full of fear, so live for today”. And yes, he was a dedicated Steeler fan. The cheers and yells could be heard from the farm on many Sundays.
After his wife, Peg, passed away, he was lucky enough to be married again and is survived by his wife, Alice Montgomery Whalen; four of his five children, Peg Whalen, Thomas (Shileen) Whalen, Mark Whalen, Sherry (Thomas) Raineri; and daughter-in-law, Deidra Whalen Shay; eight grandchildren, Dr. Brian (Jewel) Omslaer, Kyle Omslaer, Abigail Whalen, TJ Whalen, Keenan (Miranda) Whalen, Leigh Whalen, Alex Brozinski and Jeremiah (Ashley) Raineri; as well as three great-grandchildren, twins, Kenna and Michael Omslaer, and Scarlett Whalen. He is also survived by Brad Montgomery and daughters, Alivia Montgomery, Hali (Dorian) Evans, Doug Montgomery and son Tyler Montgomery. Also surviving are three brothers, Henry, James (Nonie) and William (Kathy) Whalen; and two sisters, AnneMarie (Thomas) Devine and Mary McDonnell; sister-in-law, Kathleen Larimer; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Thomas was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Margaret “Peg” Whalen; his youngest son, John Whalen; brothers-in-law, David McDonnell and Frank Larimer; and sister-in-law, Ann Whalen.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 10, in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at East Katherine Avenue, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Supervisor/Director, S. Timothy Warco II, Director, Park N. Crosier, Director. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 11, in the Immaculate Conception Church, St. James Parish, 119 W. Chestnut Street, Washington, with the Rev. John Lynam as celebrant. Those attending the mass are asked to go directly to the church on Wednesday. Private burial will be held in Woodruff Memorial Park with full military rites accorded by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175 and the United States Marine Corps.
In lieu of flowers, should friends want to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, (https://give2cpf.org). Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.