John J. “Jay” Whalen, 59 years of Brockton died Saturday February 6, 2010 at St. Joseph Manor after a lengthy illness. He was born, raised and educated in Brockton, the son of the late Thomas L. and Shirley M. (Banks) Whalen. Jay served 20 years in the US Army with two tours of duty in Viet Nam. He was awarded many medals including the Purple Heart and Silver and Bronze Stars. Following his military career, Jay was an administrator at the Bedford VA Medical Center and a custodian in the Brockton School Department. He was a member of the Bertocci Club and the Enterprise Club. Jay enjoyed football, hockey, fishing, reading and traveling but most of all spending time with his family.
He is survived by a son Jason Whalen of Gardner, two granddaughters Anna Marie and MacKenzie, four sisters, Patricia Marvill, Phyllis Whalen both of Wareham, Shirley Doucette of E. Bridgewater and Constance Whalen of Brockton, three brothers, Thomas of Kentucky, William of Hamilton and Patrick Whalen of Colorado. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and was the father of the late Adam Whalen and brother of the late Mark Whalen
Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Thursday 4-8 pm. Military Services will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne Friday at 10 am. In lieu of flowers donations in Jay’s name may be made to the Patients’ Activity Fund at St. Joseph Manor 215 Thatcher St. Brockton, MA 02302 or Hospice of Greater Brockton 500 Belmont St., Brockton, MA 02301.