Dr. John Whelan

JOHN MICHAEL WHELAN, MD, FRCPC

1943 - 2024

Dr. John Whelan died peacefully at the Vancouver Hospice on April 4, 2024. Predeceased by his parents Harry and Peggy Whelan of Sea Road, Galway. Survived by his wife Catherine Dell Whelan née Cooney, his daughters Ciara (Joe) and Julie (Ming), and his grandchildren Orla, John, Rohan, and Rossa. He is also survived by his sisters Anne (Michael) Erett, Mary (Paddy) Flemming, and Ursula (Pat) Whelan-Burke.

John was born in Galway, Ireland in 1943. He attended St. Joseph’s Patrician College and then medical school at University College Galway. Shortly after graduating he moved to Bethnal Green Hospital in London’s East End to begin his residency. There he met a striking student nurse, Dell Cooney, from Dungarvan, Waterford. He proposed to her within six months and remained devoted to her for the next six decades.

In 1969 he and Dell moved to Vancouver for “a year” but John fell in love with the west coast. As a couple they were perfectly balanced, Dell the enthusiastic organizer and John, the quiet listener. John completed his residency in psychiatry at UBC and worked in the field until his retirement, first at Shaughnessy and St. Vincent’s Hospitals and then for nearly 30 years as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Vancouver General Hospital. John’s daughters sought his wisdom in all things and will rely on his thoughtful guidance for the rest of their lives.

Slán go fóill, John. Ní bheidh do leithéid arís ann.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 11, at 11:00am at Immaculate Conception Parish (3778 West 28th Ave, Vancouver, B.C., Canada).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Childhood Cancer Family Support (ccfsupport.com), Vancouver Hospice Society (vancouverhospice.org), or the ALS Society of BC (alsbc.ca).

Walkey & Company Funeral Directors 604-738-0006