Obituary of Frederick Thomas Whalen
Fred passed away peacefully at his home in Sus on August 4, 2020 after a period of declining health.
Fred was born on the family farm in Picadilly on October 21, 1927 to Thomas Whalen and Teresa O’Leary, the fifth of six children. He attended grade school at Picadilly’s one room schoolhouse, completing grade 8 in 1941. Following his graduation from Sus High School (honours) he then chose to attend St. Joseph’s University in the Memramcook area, mainly due to its proximity as well as its reasonable fee structure. He graduated from St Joseph’s in 1948 with a BA in Liberal Arts, and a minor in Philosophy (logic).
During his final year in college he became increasingly aware of his own good fortune and felt a strong desire to give back to society. The vehicle he chose was the priesthood in the Catholic Church, a natural choice considering his family’s Irish Catholic heritage. He was accepted as a candidate for the priesthood and in September 1948 he began his four year studies at Holy Heart Seminary in Halifax. He was ordained in 1952 at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John along with Fr. Bernard Stack and Fr. Lawrence Murphy, both deceased.
Over the next 15 years he was assigned to various parishes throughout the diocese of Saint John, including Chatham, which had in the meantime become part of the diocese of Saint John. Early in this period Father Clarke of St. FX University, knowing Fred’s interest in all things scientific, suggested he subscribe to a magazine called Scientific American, which he did. The magazine chronicled the rapid rise in computer development and usage. Computer programming was the skill required to enter that profession and Fred became very interested in this field of endeavour.
In 1967 he resigned from the diocese and moved to Washington DC, which he knew was a hub for the burgeoning computer industry. Fred worked for various computer companies in the DC area and eventually formed his own company, Whalen Systems Inc. He settled in McLean, Virginia. Much of his work was with The Pentagon where he developed programs to assist in staffing and payroll for their employees in the Washington area.
In the early 1980’s, while still living in McLean Va., Fred bought a property on Church Avenue in Sus . From its back deck he could look across the valley to the Picadilly mountain which he and his schoolmates used to climb at noon hour. From there he could also see the tops of the blossoming apple trees in the orchard on his boyhood farm.
He continued to work in the Washington area but on smaller projects until his retirement in 1991 when he moved permanently back to Sus. Back home he rekindled his passion for gardening including the cultivation and grafting of his fruit trees. He shared the bounty of his labours with his family and the community.
Fred was a friendly man with a contagious laugh that usually ended with the words “Oh Dear!”. He loved a stimulating conversation that could include anything from the weather to politics to the latest in DNA CRISPR technology. He was very passionate about science.
Fred is predeceased by his parents and all of his siblings: Mary Whalen, Rita McGinnis, Teresa Whalen, Carson Whalen, Gerald Whalen, and Thomas Whalen (deceased in infancy). He is survived by his nephews and nieces: John McGinnis (Beth) of Fredericton, Tom McGinnis, Mary Smith, Eleanor McGinnis, Paula McDonough (Pat), Geraldine Newman, Christine Kelly (Pat), Caroline McGinnis (Mike Ryan), all of the Saint John area, and Carmel McGinnis of Halifax as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sus, NB (506) 433-1176.There will be no visitation or church service. The interment will take place at Wards Creek Cemetery, Ward’s Creek and will be announced at a later date.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Frederick
Thomas
Whalen 1927 2020..
Death notice for the town of: SUSSEX, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick