January 22nd is 92nd anniversary of the birth of John Joseph Whalen, son of Jim and Johanna Whalen, husband of Helen Wiley Whalen, (daughter of Boom and Boomp), father of Christian, Teresa, Damian, Lisa and Mercy, and grandfather and uncle of many.
He lived in many places, attended various schools, served in the military and fell in love with Aunt Helen when he was a student at Loyola Chicago. They were married in 1951 and the adventure began.
He taught elementary school in the Chicago area and finished a master's degree before packing up the family (Helen, Christian, Teresa and Damian) in 1957 to head to the Territory of Alaska, where the Bureau of Indian Affairs had teaching positions for couples. The next several years took Uncle John to teaching positions in Stevensville, Red Lodge and finally Missoula where he became the Chair of the English Department at Hellgate High School.
He was a superb teacher and a very funny man, from his use of accent, to his songs and poems, to his fine telling of a joke. He died at home on May 20, 2015.
Happy Birthday in heaven, Uncle John. God bless us and save us and keep us from harm.
Love, Patty
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