Edward ‘Ed’ Michael Whelan, 62, of New Paltz, New York passed away on December 27, 2020 at his home.
He was born in New York City, New York on December 1, 1958 and on February 3, 1959 he was adopted by a wonderful couple, Dr. Joseph and Isabelle Whelan, to start their family in Manhasset, NY. He became a big brother a few years later when they adopted his sister, Katharine, in 1962.
He graduated from St. Mary’s Boys High School in 1977 and was the first one to live in Maine as he headed up there to study Environmental Science at Unity College. He studied there for a few years and then transferred to Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in South Portland to finish up his degree. He moved back to New York after graduation and ended up getting a job in his field working for Nassau County at the Cedar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. He dedicated his life to his job and worked there for over 30 years, retiring in 2015 as a plant supervisor.
He loved being outdoors - hiking and camping in the woods and mountains throughout New England was his ultimate passion.
He also loved music and was a regular in the local music scene in both Portland, Maine and New York City for many, many years. He went to countless concerts and shows and practically bought out the vinyl and CD collections of multiple local shops.
He is survived by his sister, Katharine Whelan of Scarborough, Maine; his niece and goddaughter, Tracie Ankermann of Portland, Maine; his niece, Dayna Ankermann and her husband, Morgan Gason of Melbourne, Australia; his nephew, Kyle Ankermann of the US Coast Guard; and his best friend of over 40 years, Alex Reeves and his wife Susan and two children of New Paltz, New York.
Ed was predeceased by his parents, with his mother, Isabelle, only passing a month and a half before in November 2020, and his beloved dog, Cinder.
There will not be a funeral service or burial but his ashes will be spread in a place that he loved in the mountains of Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed’s name can be made to Baxter State Park at friendsofbaxter.org/support/donate or to The State Theatre, either at mainemusicalliance.org/donate or by sending a donation to State Theatre, 142 High Street, Suite 200, Portland, ME 04101.