Obituary of Sean Michael Whelan

Sean Michael Whelan, age 51, passed away on Monday, September 17, 2018, at his home in Bernardsville. Born in Elizabeth, he was raised in Fanwood and graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. Before moving to Bernardsville 20 years ago, he lived in Summit. Sean graduated from the National FBI Academy in Quantico, VA. After attending the police academy in Sea Girt, he began his career as a police officer with the Watchung Police Department where he was promoted several times. He became the Chief of Police before retiring in 2011. After his distinguished career in law enforcement, Sean was employed with Capital One, J.P. Morgan, and most recently First Data as a Vice President of Fraud Investigations. Above all else, Sean loved spending time with his family especially parenting their three children, Sara, Jenna and Patrick with his loving wife, Sandy Hume Whelan. Sean's devotion to service, hard work, loyalty and commitment will be a lasting legacy. Together, Sean and Sandy planned fun family vacations, enjoyed their kids playing basketball and lacrosse, watched movies, and always took pride in their children's accomplishments. Sean was Sandy's number one basketball fan as she coached many area high school successful basketball teams. But, most of all, Sean loved the simple pleasure of being together with his #1 team: his family. Throughout his life, he was an avid reader, seeker of new information, and a dog lover. His many passions included: cooking, golf, music, MMA, weight lifting, overall fitness, and recently Sean found time to develop a love for vintage cars. Sean is predeceased by his beloved parents, Ann and Edmund Whelan and his brother Michael. He is survived by sister Kathleen. His friends, neighbors, fellow police officers, firefighters, EMT service personnel and co-workers all mourn his passing. Sean was loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and extended family members; especially Sandy's sister and brother in law, Karen Hume and Jason Patience and her parents, Nancy Allen and Russ Hume, who will miss him deeply. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 21, 2018 from 4-9pm at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, NJ. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 10am at Wilson Memorial Union Church, 7 Valley Road, Watchung. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery Basking Ridge. To send condolences go to www.higginsfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers donations can be made to either the Team Campbell Foundation, of which he was a board member or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America in honor of his loving mother Ann.