GLOUCESTER: Laurence J. Whelan, 71, of Poplar Park, died early Sunday morning, January 15, 2012 in the Golden Living Center.
Born in the Bronx, New York on July 27, 1940, he was the son of the late Laurence and Catherine (Sullivan) Whelan.
He had been a resident of Gloucester for the past twenty years. An engineer, Larry was employed at Gloucester Engineering for over twenty years. He later ran a seasonal charter boat out of both Gloucester and Florida for many years.
He is survived by his sister, Peggy Smith, longtime partner of David George of Fitzwilliam, NH; stepbrother, Patrick Whelan and stepsister, Debbie Lange both of St. Augustine Shores, FL; sister-in-law, Rita Whelan of North Reading; four nieces, Angela Rue-Van Allen of Milton, Keri Dinapoli of North Reading, Lori Potvin of Jefferson and Jaime Merchant of Andover; cousins, Bernard Murphy and Mary Murphy both of Somerville; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. He was also predeceased by his brother, James Whelan.
A reception in honor of Larry’s life will be held on Thursday in the Poplar Park Community Center, 77 Poplar Park, Gloucester from noon to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.