Obituary of Francis E. Whalen

In East Haven, May 8,2012, Francis E. Whalen,83,of New Haven. Husband of Jeanne Roche Whalen.Father of Daniel F. Whalen and Leslie R. Whalen,both of NC.Step father of Brian Vitelli DVM of Guilford and Diana Vitelli O'Brien of Deep River. Grandfather of Kenneth O'Brien Jr.,Sean O'Brien,Brendan O'Brien, Kaitlyn Vitelli and Courtney Whalen. Brother of Thomas J. Whalen Jr. of Hamden and the late James M. Whalen. Born Aug 31,1928 in Ansonia, a son of the late Thomas J. and Margaret Grady Whalen Sr., he was a graduate of Hamden High School and recieved his BA degree from the University of New Haven. He served with the US Army from 1950 to 1952 and was employed for over twenty three years as a mail destination administrator for the US Postal Service. He also was employed by the former First National Grocery Store in East Haven and Pegnataro's Market in New Haven. Francis was a member of the Secular Order of St.Francis, the Branford Elks Lodge, the CT Irish American Historical Society, the Ethnic Heritage Center at SCSU and was a former member of the Irish American Community Center. He was a Friend of Bill W. Funeral from the Clancy Funeral Home,43 Kirkham Ave.,East Haven, Saturday morning at 8:30. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Bernadette Church at 9:00. Private burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 4-8pm. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bernadette Church, 385 Townsend Ave.,New Haven,CT 06512.