JACKSON — There are new tunnels to crawl through, slides to swish down and wiggly bridges to stomp on at the St. Aloysius School playground. The recent addition at St. Aloysius is similar to other school playgrounds, with one difference.
“This difference can be seen on a plaque placed proudly on the wall, which reads, ‘This playground is dedicated in loving memory of Kenneth C. Whalen. Bigger than life, he will be remembered always as a special man who touched so many. Relax,’ ” said integrated language arts teacher Dana Hoover.
Whalen, 42, of Jackson, died in November 2005. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, daughter, Kaitlyn, and son, John. He was a parishioner of St. Aloysius and coached the girls softball team. At the time of his death, Whalen was working as a supervisor for Northeast Remsco Co. of Toms River.
He worked with the St. Aloysius Fathers Club to build a playground for the students of St. Aloysius School. The playground was partly funded by the Whalen family and it serves as a daily reminder of Whalen, an extraordinary man who was loved by many people, according to school administrators.
At the dedication ceremony for the new playground equipment, Whalen was honored as those in attendance sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” Hoover said.
“His son, John, a current student at St. Aloysius, his high-school-age daughter Kaitlyn, and his wife, Lisa, were among the many family members present at the ceremony,” Hoover added.
The Rev. Scott Shaffer, pastor, blessed the new playground equipment.
Teachers in attendance remembered Whalen as a man with an energetic zest for life who dove into whatever task he was given, Hoover said.
Physical education teacher Judy Suzuki praised Whalen, saying, “Everyone loved him.”
Hoover said, “Everyone loved and still loves Ken Whalen. Even after his death, he is still touching the lives of many, and his footprints will forever be embedded on the hearts of the St. Aloysius Parish and school community.”