Obituary of Jerome P. Whalen

Jerome P. Whalen Elmira: Born June 26, 1933 in Philadelphia, PA to Frank and Mary (McCusker) Whalen, Jerry died at age 78 on Friday, July 8, 2011. He is predeceased by brothers, Frank, James, and Robert; sister, Mary; and special family member, Kathryn (Gokie). Jerry is survived by his wife, Marci M. Whalen; children, Michael J. Whalen of Needham, MA with wife Karen, and children, Nicholas, Jordyn, Adam, and Ava; Kevin P. Whalen of Jamaica Plain, MA with wife Kathy Brown and children, Alexander and Carolina; Deborah J. Whalen of Cabin John, MD with husband, Graham White and his daughter Madelyn; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Millie Whalen, Gillian Whalen, Carole Whalen, Evelyn and Wayne Siegel, Marian Pizano, Joseph and Gloria Platnik, and William Prebola; along with several nieces and nephews. Jerry was a Dana Professor of English Literature at Elmira College, where he began teaching in 1968 after receiving his Ph.D. from University of Pittsburgh. After retiring, he continued teaching graduate students until 2011. He was a passionate teacher and reader of literature, especially Shakespeare. Jerry also enjoyed studying history. A strong advocate for justice, he supported groups such as Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International, and the American Civil Liberties Union. He was an avid New York Yankees baseball fan. His sense of humor and wit were well known, and he enjoyed many a spirited discussion with friends at Horigan's Tavern. Jerry's greatest joy was time spent with his family. Family and friends are invited to his Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church. Services and committal prayers will follow at Woodlawn National Cemetery, as Jerry was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make contributions to Elmira Samaritan Center or Doctors Without Borders.