Joseph J. Whalen passed away peacefully at home
Nov. 28. Joe was a man who lived a life of integrity and generosity in both his family and professional life. Joe’s wife of 65 years, Eileen, passed away in July 2019. We take comfort in knowing Joe and Eileen are together again.
Joe was born Jan. 19, 1932 in Kearney. He married Eileen Harmon June 12, 1954 at Queen of Peace Church in North Arlington, in the parish where they met in high school and started going steady soon after. With Eileen, Joe lived at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, Maryland, before moving back to North Arlington after his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army in April 1957. Eileen and Joe moved their young family to Middletown in 1964 and then to Holmdel, remaining in their beloved Monmouth County until this day.
For Joe, it was always family first. Anyone who spent any time with Joe immediately sensed his devotion to Eileen and his children also benefitted from his dedication to family. Joe chose to attend his daughter Eileen’s second birthday party Dec. 28, 1958 rather than attend the New York Giants playoff game at Yankee Stadium that became known as “the Greatest Game ever played” and, in family lore, “the Greatest Sacrifice ever made.” His frequent business trips to Chicago almost always included dinners with daughter Maureen at the Drake Hotel. With his son Joseph, he shared a love of all things sports, including, at one point, season tickets to the NY Giants, Rangers and Knicks, and memorable golf trips to Ireland and Pebble Beach.
Whether on Gayle Street or Ladwood Drive, Eileen and Joe were gracious hosts who always welcomed friends and family into their home. Times spent socializing at the Whalen home have evolved into well-loved stories often repeated among friends and family. The annual Cousins’ Christmas party, Ladwood Around the World parties, and Notre Dame football games (Joe was a subway alum) were highlights.
Joe was an avid golfer and member of Bamm Hollow Country Club, Navesink Country Club and PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Joe especially loved the camaraderie and friendships he developed during his 37 years as a member of Navesink. Joe’s intellect made him an aficionado of crossword puzzles and he took pride in easily completing the New York Times crossword, always in pen. He was also a voracious reader.
Joe graduated from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City with a B.S. in accounting. After his discharge from the Army, Joe began his almost 40-year career with Arthur Andersen in New York City and was named partner with the firm in 1969, eventually moving to their Roseland office. It was the only job he had since graduating college. Joe was a mentor to many, a trusted advisor to his clients and highly respected by all he came across in his working life. After his retirement, Joe was a long-standing member on the boards of directors of several of his former clients.
Joe is survived by his daughters, Eileen Gleitz (Gary) and Maureen (Michael Standing), and son, Joseph D. (Megan); and grandchildren Gary Gleitz Jr., Eileen Mack (Shawn), Andrew and Nathaniel Standing, Bennett and Anne Pelino, and Cormac and Eamon Whalen.
The family would like to thank Carol Green for her compassion and professionalism in caring for Joe in his final months. Carol also cared for Eileen in her last months.
The family will hold a private memorial service for Joe. We look forward to holding a celebration of life for both Joe and Eileen later in 2021.
The article originally appeared in the December 10 – 16, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
