9:10am Friday 13th November 2009
By Denis Whittle
FAMILY, countless friends in sport, church and local government have paid their respects to an unassuming man whose name was a household one to those whose lives he touched.
Sutton-born John Whelan, 78, died at his Rainford home after a long illness.
He leaves Eileen, his wife for 52 years, children Pauline, John and Anne, along with four grandchildren.
Known as Johnny, and the son of a policeman, he lived in Fairclough Road, Eccleston, as a boy and attended St. Teresa’s and West Park schools, where he displayed sporting talents, in rugby and cricket particularly.
Wiry Whelan was able to tackle either half-back role in the Old Boys squad of the 1950s, when he shared dressing room pegs with Des Clarke, Vint Wynn and Ken Ward.
An all-rounder, the RAF National Serviceman was adept with bat and ball, as Park and Sutton sides would testify.
A rare talent rugby-wise, Johnny attracted the attention of senior club Birkenhead Park and spent several seasons there, a period during which he enjoyed the added bonus of numerous Lancashire caps.
He was a leading administrative figure for St Helens, Whiston and Knowsley councils, and liked nothing better than chewing the cud over the merits of rugby union and league – during tea-breaks of course.
Essentially a family man, Whelan drew great satifaction from seeing De La Salle teacher son John prove a chip off the old block in emulating dad at West Park, while three grandchildren are involved in local sides with Maria supporting Saints.
In retirement, Johnny was a voluntary gardener at the Carmelite Monastery in tandem with Father Andrew Rowland and at Corpus Christi Church, Rainford. He was also instrumental in making education available to children of the village at Notre Dame and West Park schools.
Johnny joined Houghwood golf club with son-in-law John and daughter Anne, whom he taught to play and was the sole witness when she holed in one.
Despite the diversity of his life, he was loyal to West Park RFC plus St. Teresa’s church, just a drop-kick from where he cut his teeth.
So it was fitting that Johnny Whelan was taken there for his requiem mass celebrated by Father Andrew before a packed congregation, followed by burial at the borough cemetery.
Mourners then moved on to Houghwood to raise a glass or two in his memory.
Former colleague Robert Walker said: “Johnny was one of my heroes, not just for sporting prowess, but also for modesty, humility and kindness.”
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