Francis (Frank) E. Whalen

Francis E. “Frank” Whalen, 67 of Auburn, NY passed away peacefully on St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. He was born at Mercy Hospital in Auburn on December 31, 1958. He was the son of the late Jon and Vera Whalen and attended Thornton Avenue Elementary School. His father, who was also born in Auburn, moved the family to Long Island in 1970 to accept a teaching position at Manhasset High School from which Frank graduated in 1976. Frank went on to obtain an Associate’s Degree from Queensborough Community College. He was employed for several years as a United States Postal Service letter carrier, in the borough of Queens, where he battled bad weather and the occasional nasty dog, until he was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor in 2002, that forced him to retire. He beat the odds and a second bout with brain cancer and went on to become one of his doctor’s longest-lived patients. He returned to Auburn in 2016, moving into his parent’s home on Lansing Street that has been in the family since 1909.

Frank was a talented baseball player and played for many years in the Men’s Senior Baseball League for the Long Island Yankees. He grew up an avid baseball fan who rooted for the New York Yankees, even though Shea Stadium and the New York Mets were a stone’s throw from his home in Queens. He also loved attending Auburn Doubleday games, especially when the team had dollar beer nights. Frank was a proud member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Auburn for over forty years. 

Frank is survived by his loving wife, Denise Whalen, nee Cullin; his sons James and Kevin Whalen; daughter Jennifer DeVercelly, son-in-law Matthew DeVercelly; brother Bernard Whalen, sister-in-law Laura; grandchildren, Amber, Jackson, Bryson and Caroline; his mother-in-law Martha Cullin; in-laws Gary and Laurie Cullin, Kelly and Gil Brown, Connie Cullin, Jen and Vincent Toma, Roy and Debra Cullin; and several nieces and nephews including beloved niece Melissa and her husband David Masseria, who will miss him terribly.

In addition to his parents, Frank was predeceased by his brother Michael Whalen (FDNY) and brother-in-law John Cullin.

Calling hours will be conducted on Monday, March 23, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., 197 South Street, Auburn, NY. A funeral service will be offered Tuesday morning, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 am in the funeral home, followed by a burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

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