Robert Edward Whalen, Sr.

Robert Edward Whalen, better known as Bob, was born on June 6, 1940, in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Raymond Whalen Sr and Mary McKeown. He had a close life?long relationship with all of siblings: Ray, Mary, Jack, Jim, and Pat and is survived by his brothers, Jack (Linda, sister-in-law), Jim (Linda, sister-in-law) and Pat (Patricia, sister-in-law) Whalen. Bob graduated from North Catholic HS in 1958, then rushed to help his country by enlisting in the Navy, dreaming of seeing the world outside of Philadelphia. Due to complications from a life-long disability due to a serious accident at age 5, his military service was ultimately cut short. He met his wife Angela Rios, in 1964 on a skiing trip with friends in The Poconos. They married in New York from June 25, 1966. They lived a happy & big life together in Pennsylvania from Philadelphia to Bensalem, and later retired to The Villages, FL. where they both agreed they were on vacation every day. Bob started his career in printing in his early 20’s and became a typesetter for Winchell Printing, further advancing his education and career with classes at Bucks County Community College in PA. He moved from project supervisor into a sales role in his forties and thrived in that career for over 20 years, winning awards and surpassing all goals that came his way. Not long after retiring from printing he took on a new role as school bus driver in Bensalem Township in Pennsylvania, retiring from that role at 73. Bob was accustomed to keeping busy, so not long after moving to the Villages he embarked on a new role in the Villages Recreation centers. He always liked people and helping others, so this was a fun job for him. He so loved to travel, both to see what the world had to offer and to be with his family. Bob & Angela visited France 40 times across 20 years, (also visiting Belgium and England) to be with their daughter, Lisa and her sons (Jules, Val, & Shaun) as much as possible. He even took French lessons at Bucks County Community College with Angela, while she was battling cancer. Annie and Bob loved cruises, together visiting most of the Caribbean Islands, and Alaska. After the pandemic he got to visit his daughter, Sadie and his grandson, Jacob, in Arizona, visiting the Grand Canyon together. He lost his beloved Annie on July 20, 2020, after only 54 years of marriage and 56 years of love. Bob is survived by his children, Lisa Orssaud & Sadie Whalen, and his grandchildren Jules, Valentin, and Shaun Orssaud, Jacob Whalen, and Emma Sullivan. He is also survived by Stella Knight, his late life partner and companion who filled his last years with life, love, & laughter.

Services were held privately at the convenience of the family