Thomas V. Whelan 75, of Sea Girt, NJ died Friday August 2, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born and raised in Jersey City, he attended St. Nicholas Grammar School and graduated from Dickinson High School in 1961. He was also very proud to receive an honorary diploma from St. Peter’s Prep High School in 2008. After graduation, he served in the US Air Force and was stationed in Brindisi Italy. When he returned home to Jersey City, he worked as a truck driver and enrolled in St. Peter’s College where he graduated in 1968. Thomas was the founder and CEO of Healthways Communications, Elizabeth, one of the many business ventures that he started. He was on the Board of Directors at St. Mary’s Hospital, Hoboken, St. Francis Hospital, Jersey City, and Statewide Savings Bank, Jersey City, among others. Thomas was also on the Board of Trustees for St. Peter’s College and there is a residential dormitory on campus named after his mother and father. He believed very strongly in philanthropy and charity and together with his wife Peggy, supported many organizations to try and make the world a better place, particularly in the areas of healthcare and education. In 2005, Thomas received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor during a ceremony on Ellis Island. He lived a beautiful life full of hard work, adventure and love and what brought him the most joy was being able to help other people.
He is predeceased by his parents, John and Florence (Gould) Whelan. Surviving is his beloved wife of 53 years, Peggy (Tantullo) Whelan, 2 sons, Tom Whelan of Union, NJ and Jon Whelan of New York, NY. 4 Grandchildren, Katherine, Patrick, Sophie, Willow, 3 Sisters, Maureen Fass of Spring Lake, NJ, Jacqueline Droujinsky of Mechanicsville, VA, Judith Hepworth and her husband Michael of Garden City, NY and many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
Visiting will be Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 4-8 PM at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. Funeral Mass will be Friday, 9:30 AM at St. Mark’s Church, 215 Crescent Pkwy., Sea Girt. Entombment will follow in St. Anne Cemetery Mausoleum, Wall. For more information or to send condolences please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers please donate to Make A Wish Foundation of New Jersey 1384 Perrineville Rd. Monroe Township, NJ 08831 or St. Mark’s Church, 215 Crescent Pkwy., Sea Girt, NJ 08730.