James J. Whalen Sr. died June 29, at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. He was 72.
Born in Jersey City, he resided in East Brunswick before moving to Lakewood three years ago.
Prior to his retirement in 1995, he was a truck driver for Gist-Brocades, formerly Anheuser-Busch, in East Brunswick, where he worked for 24 years.
Jimmie joined the Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department, District 1, East Brunswick, in 1975. He served as Chief from 1985 to 1986. He also served as Vice President and Fire Commissioner and was a Senior Life Member of the Department as well.
Jimmie was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge.
He was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Joanne Berdel Whalen, in November 2013.
Surviving are his two sons, Jaysen and his wife, Holly, and James Jr. and his wife, Mary, both of Brick; two sisters, Margaret Shopp of Belford, and Maryann DiAngelo and her husband, Joseph, of Jackson; and seven grandchildren, James III, Brayden, Taylor, Morgan, Ryleigh, Jaysen Jr. and Zackary; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were arranged by Brunswick Memorial Home, East Brunswick, Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge. Cremation was private.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Barnabas Burn Foundation, Inc., 94 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, N.J. 07039.