Brendan Joseph Whelan, known affectionately as BJ, passed away quietly on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 in Albany, OR, his home of over fifty years. Born to Matthew and Anna (Dwyer) Whelan on August 26, 1946, he was raised with his sister Patricia and his brother Ellis at his birthplace in Connecticut. At the age of 19, he was drafted and served in the army in Company B, 83rd Engineers. He made Spec 5. BJ received a European discharge and travelled around Europe for a year. In 1969, he spent some time with family in Dublin, Ireland. In his mid-20s, he moved out west to Oregon, where he earned his private pilot's license, and learned the concrete trade from his lifelong army friend Duane Stovall. He worked for Albany Concrete Contractors and later became an independent contractor. He phased out his career in construction with Terry Miller Concrete, retiring in the early 2000's.

In 1978, he had built a duplex in Albany, OR and sold it to Diane Serface, who would become his life partner until her passing this past May. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends, travelling, and the beautiful northwest.

BJ and Diane lived together for about half of their relationship and then apart for several years while she lived in Hermiston. They were deeply committed to one another, even while apart, calling frequently during the week, BJ driving there or her coming down to Albany whenever possible. Somewhere around 1985 BJ and Diane planned a cross-country trip to the East coast. They took 4 months off, traveling through the northern states, stopping in Chicago, DC, visiting BJ's family on the east coast. They visited national parks, camped in state parks and KOA's and occasionally stayed in a motel when the weather was too hot. Their favorite national parks were Yosemite and Acadia, which is on the coast of Maine. One night while camping in the Midwest they were awakened by a torrential downpour. They stayed in the tent as long as they could but ended up in the car when the water started rising. This trip was a once in a lifetime trip for them.

They also loved camping in the Columbia gorge, going to art museums, vacationing with Paula (Diane's sister) and Mike (Paula's husband) in places like Tahoe and Mexico. Their camping and traveling ended when Diane discovered some health issues that had to be addressed.

BJ loved flying and shared that passion with Paula's husband Mike. As his close friend Duane recalls, he once jumped out of an airplane- once! He somehow got tangled in wires on his way down and had to be cut out by rescuers. He said once was enough!

His sense of adventure was tempered with a practical sense. BJ often stopped doing anything that he thought could possibly become an addictive behavior. He stopped eating sugar, reading the newspaper, watching tv.

About 15 years ago BJ put himself on a restricted diet, eating only bland foods, unless he was out with family or friends. He ate to live, not living to eat. He drank a little red wine with Diane or friends and loved ice cream when he ate it. He counted out 20 almonds every day for a snack, religiously weighing out his food for every meal. Paula said he even ate flax seed with every meal for three years before finding out that it needed to be ground in order to receive any health benefits! Paula said they all thought he was the last one to be diagnosed with Parkinson's or dementia due to being so health conscious.

He loved to read anything- fiction, non-fiction. He read the biographies of the presidents and loved learning facts. He is described as methodical, practical, dedicated and committed. He was not a prankster nor a joker. He was a concrete pourer, stayed close to his closest friend Duane in Albany and loved, loved, Diane.

Paula shared a funny story when he was in his 50's. Diane often told him that there were certain things he just couldn't wear together. He was not fashion conscious. So, with her help he literally put on every outfit, including ties, sport coats, t-shirts, sweaters, colors, etc. that he had and took a picture of each one. He kept the pictures in a file box, like a recipe box, and used it to put his clothes together for each day to eliminate the stress about what did or didn't go together.

BJ was diagnosed with Parkinson's about eight years ago, but Diane and others knew something was wrong long before his diagnosis. Despite Diane's own health challenges, she stuck by BJ and facilitated his care up until her last day. BJ spent the last few years of his life in Albany, close to Diane's family and his friends.

BJ's ashes will be interred with Diane's at Palestine Cemetery and scattered at a place special to them in Yosemite. BJ is survived by his many cousins, his nieces Kerry Combs of MA, Deirdre (Whelan) Wilson of CA, Constance (Combs) Fitch and nephew Matthew Whelan of CT; Diane Serface's family; and his good friends.