To view the service from the Carnell Memorial Chapel on Monday, September 21, please click on the link below:
www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160046015177525
Dr. Ronald Francis Whelan passed peacefully away in the presence of his loving family on September 18, 2020, age 86 years. Ron was predeceased by his parents Captain John and Marcella Whelan, his brothers Dr. Patrick Whelan, Fr. John Whelan S.J., George Whelan and his sisters Agnes Greene and Mary Rockwell.
Leaving to mourn Ron are his loving family: wife Betty-Lou (nee Lockhart) daughter Beth and son Paul (Sarah); his ‘handsome’ well-loved grandsons Peter and William, and sister in-law Marie Whelan. Ron had many nieces and nephews who will always remember his generosity, wisdom, humour and love.
Ron was a highly respected physician and medical educator, who graduated from Dalhousie medical school in 1967. After graduation Ron returned to NL the province he dearly loved and began his career as a radiologist at St. Clare’s Mercy hospital. During Ron’s 40-year tenure at St. Clare’s, he was the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and served as the Chairman of the Board and President, of the Canadian Medical Association.
Ron was an adventurous soul, who’s extensive travel was driven by his interest in history and passion for polar exploration. Despite Ron’s worldwide adventures which took him to all 7 continents, he spoke most fondly of his 1983 seal hunt voyage, where he was the ship’s physician aboard the Lady Johnson 11, captained by his dear friend Morrisey Johnson. Ron loved the sea, was an avid sailor, and spent many hours on conception bay in his boat “The mighty Photon.” When Ron was not sailing, golfing or playing bridge, he was often found in Holyrood, entertaining his many friends or hosting the “Holyrood history club” of which he was the founder. Ron will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Ron was a voracious reader and loved English literature, and he would often cite well-loved quotes. The following words by Dylan Thomas were some of his most treasured.
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Cremation has taken place. Following COVID-19 restrictions, relatives and friends may visit Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Rd. on Sunday, Sept 20th, 2020 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A funeral service will be held on Monday, Sept 21st, 2020 at 11:30 am from the Carnell Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Ronald Whelan’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Newfoundland, 835 Topsail Road, or to The Gathering Place, 172 Military Road.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dr Ronald Francis Whelan June 18 1934 to September 18 2020..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N
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