Obituary for David J. Whelan
David Jay Whelan of Pocantico Hills, New York took his last breath while surrounded by his family, whose hearts are forever saturated with rich memories of love and togetherness. Quality time together has long been a Whelan value, inspiring an abundance of family gatherings and trips across the world to celebrate “the love that let us share our name.” Dave left this life embraced with that intention along with affirmations of love and gratitude.
His love for Westchester County began at birth in Yonkers, NY on April 24th 1930 to David Joseph and Wilma Agnes Whelan (née: Engels). Growing up in the wake of the Great Depression, Dave quickly learned how to savor his resources, resulting in a lifetime of saving everything from money to used aluminum foil to support those he loved. Embracing the melting-pot mentality, he referred to his heritage as simply “American,” focusing less on the family’s past and more on what legacy could be built in this great nation. He extended this love of country by serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Gunnery Mathematics Instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas before his honorable discharge.
He graduated from Iona College in 1952, he earned a juris doctorate at Georgetown Law Center in 1957 and returned home to Westchester County to pursue his passion for law. For 61 years, Dave served his community as an attorney in his private practice (1970-2018), along with numerous accolades and elevated positions as Assistant District Attorney County of Westchester, New York (1966-1969), Village Attorney and Village Prosecutor for the Village of North Tarrytown, New York (1973-1976), as well as Town Prosecutor and Deputy Town Attorney for the Town of Mt. Pleasant, New York (1972-1987) and as Village Prosecutor for the Village of Pleasantville, New York (1975-2013). He received the 50 Year Award by the Westchester County Bar Association in respectful acknowledgement of 50 years of Bar admission and service to the public, community and legal profession (May 19, 2011). He was appointed as an AV Preeminent Peer Rated attorney, earning him a spot in an elite group highly ranked for their ethical standards and was featured in “Who’s Who in American Law.” After a successful career, he retired in 2018, allowing him to further embrace his life outside of the office.
With a tireless work ethic, Dave’s success in law could only be overshadowed by his loyalty and dedication to his family. He built his dream home in 1980 together with his wife, Royalee, and cherished the property for its beauty and its open and inviting atmosphere. Being the hardworking man that he was, he was dedicated to maintaining its integrity and splendor, and continued house and yard work well into his late eighties. What resulted was a perfect setting for gathering loved ones for food, drinks, and conversation. Dave showed his affection through storytelling and recalling amusing memories, eye-rolls and laughter, and through the most heartfelt hugs; it extended to his pets that he spoiled with his warmth and a plethora of treats and even stretched to the companion animals of his children. Quality time and effort branched beyond the home from his long walks along the pond with his dogs, out onto the Hudson for boating and water skiing, the mountains for snow skiing, golf on the greens, and getaways around the world. His generosity and consideration made him a devoted husband, dedicated father, loving grandfather, and admirable friend. Strong, persistent, and kind to the very end, he lived a full and rich life, soundtracked by the songs of “The Record Men.”
Ocean Voung noted on a radio program within days of Dave’s passing that “grief is perhaps the last and final translation of love,” affirming that heavy hearts only reflect the impact of his love. He is survived by his very cherished wife, Royalee (née: MacKinnon) his beloved children, Douglas and wife Eileen of Clemmons, NC, Kathryn and husband Anthony Cusano of Southbury, CT, Robert and wife Heather of Waxhaw, NC, and Thomas and fiancé Mindy of Ridgefield, CT, as well as his much-adored nine grandchildren, Jessica (Mike), Christine (Ryan), Kaitlin (Joe), Julie (Rad), Bobbie (Steven), Sean (Rachel), Douglas, Elizabeth (Travis) and Sarah and his five and soon to be six great grandchildren Hailey, Michaella, Jayden, Liam, Heather and Maya. Dave is also survived by his loving sisters-and-brothers-in-law Patricia (Timothy) Murphy, Cynthia (William) Piotrowski, his step-mother-in-law, Cynthia MacKinnon and his step-sister-in law Tanya MacKinnon, his niece Allison (Piotrowski) Dickerson, and his nephew John Piotrowski. He is also survived by his nephews David Vinson, Mark Vinson and Douglas Vinson and his niece Patricia Vinson.
Dave is predeceased by his parents, David Joseph and Wilma Agnes (Engels) Whelan, his sister and friend, Patricia Carla Whelan Vinson, his brother-in-law Newell Vinson, his mother-in-law Virginia Herr, his father-in-law Commander Neil MacKinnon, along with his sister-in-law Rosemary MacKinnon.
A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be held at his home June 19, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
His love for Westchester County began at birth in Yonkers, NY on April 24th 1930 to David Joseph and Wilma Agnes Whelan (née: Engels). Growing up in the wake of the Great Depression, Dave quickly learned how to savor his resources, resulting in a lifetime of saving everything from money to used aluminum foil to support those he loved. Embracing the melting-pot mentality, he referred to his heritage as simply “American,” focusing less on the family’s past and more on what legacy could be built in this great nation. He extended this love of country by serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Gunnery Mathematics Instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas before his honorable discharge.
He graduated from Iona College in 1952, he earned a juris doctorate at Georgetown Law Center in 1957 and returned home to Westchester County to pursue his passion for law. For 61 years, Dave served his community as an attorney in his private practice (1970-2018), along with numerous accolades and elevated positions as Assistant District Attorney County of Westchester, New York (1966-1969), Village Attorney and Village Prosecutor for the Village of North Tarrytown, New York (1973-1976), as well as Town Prosecutor and Deputy Town Attorney for the Town of Mt. Pleasant, New York (1972-1987) and as Village Prosecutor for the Village of Pleasantville, New York (1975-2013). He received the 50 Year Award by the Westchester County Bar Association in respectful acknowledgement of 50 years of Bar admission and service to the public, community and legal profession (May 19, 2011). He was appointed as an AV Preeminent Peer Rated attorney, earning him a spot in an elite group highly ranked for their ethical standards and was featured in “Who’s Who in American Law.” After a successful career, he retired in 2018, allowing him to further embrace his life outside of the office.
With a tireless work ethic, Dave’s success in law could only be overshadowed by his loyalty and dedication to his family. He built his dream home in 1980 together with his wife, Royalee, and cherished the property for its beauty and its open and inviting atmosphere. Being the hardworking man that he was, he was dedicated to maintaining its integrity and splendor, and continued house and yard work well into his late eighties. What resulted was a perfect setting for gathering loved ones for food, drinks, and conversation. Dave showed his affection through storytelling and recalling amusing memories, eye-rolls and laughter, and through the most heartfelt hugs; it extended to his pets that he spoiled with his warmth and a plethora of treats and even stretched to the companion animals of his children. Quality time and effort branched beyond the home from his long walks along the pond with his dogs, out onto the Hudson for boating and water skiing, the mountains for snow skiing, golf on the greens, and getaways around the world. His generosity and consideration made him a devoted husband, dedicated father, loving grandfather, and admirable friend. Strong, persistent, and kind to the very end, he lived a full and rich life, soundtracked by the songs of “The Record Men.”
Ocean Voung noted on a radio program within days of Dave’s passing that “grief is perhaps the last and final translation of love,” affirming that heavy hearts only reflect the impact of his love. He is survived by his very cherished wife, Royalee (née: MacKinnon) his beloved children, Douglas and wife Eileen of Clemmons, NC, Kathryn and husband Anthony Cusano of Southbury, CT, Robert and wife Heather of Waxhaw, NC, and Thomas and fiancé Mindy of Ridgefield, CT, as well as his much-adored nine grandchildren, Jessica (Mike), Christine (Ryan), Kaitlin (Joe), Julie (Rad), Bobbie (Steven), Sean (Rachel), Douglas, Elizabeth (Travis) and Sarah and his five and soon to be six great grandchildren Hailey, Michaella, Jayden, Liam, Heather and Maya. Dave is also survived by his loving sisters-and-brothers-in-law Patricia (Timothy) Murphy, Cynthia (William) Piotrowski, his step-mother-in-law, Cynthia MacKinnon and his step-sister-in law Tanya MacKinnon, his niece Allison (Piotrowski) Dickerson, and his nephew John Piotrowski. He is also survived by his nephews David Vinson, Mark Vinson and Douglas Vinson and his niece Patricia Vinson.
Dave is predeceased by his parents, David Joseph and Wilma Agnes (Engels) Whelan, his sister and friend, Patricia Carla Whelan Vinson, his brother-in-law Newell Vinson, his mother-in-law Virginia Herr, his father-in-law Commander Neil MacKinnon, along with his sister-in-law Rosemary MacKinnon.
A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be held at his home June 19, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.