Whelan Funeral Home Ltd.
515 Cooper Street K1R 5J1 Ottawa, ON, Canada

Happy New Year! We wish you a New Year filled with peace, laughter, prosperity and good health. Let us cherish our memories of the past and welcome the joys of tomorrow. You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream. ... C.S. Lewis See more

We at Whelan Funeral Home wish you Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. May the season be filled with special moments where you, and those you love, share the joys of this special time of the year. Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime. Laura Ingalls Wilder

ALEKSIC, Branka On December 20th, 2020, Branka Aleksic (nee Dangubic) passed away at home with her loved ones by her side at the age of 62. Loving wife of 30 years to Milosav-Miso and proud mother to Dusan (Zeljka). Branka will be missed by her dear sisters Dara, Sena, and Nada, her nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and family.... Born on January 27th,1958 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Branka immigrated to Canada with her husband and son in May of 1997 and spent most of her time living in Mont Bleu (Hull). She studied at the Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo and had a 12 year career at Revenue Canada. Branka enjoyed going for walks, skiing, and she always valued and maintained close relationships with family and friends. Branka proudly supported her son, Dusan, throughout his water-polo career, and her support will be deeply missed. We will remember Branka as a fighter and a woman with a big heart. Visitation will be held at St. Stefan Serbian Orthodox Church, 1993 Prince of Wales Dr. on Wednesday, December 23 from 11:00am until commencement of a funeral mass at 12:00pm. Interment to follow at Cimetiere Saint Rédempteur on Boulevard de la Cité des-Jeunes at the intersection of Boulevard Gamelin in Gatineau (Hull). 20. decembra,2020 Branka Aleksi (Dangubi) je preminula kod kue sa svojim najmilijima kraj sebe u 62. godini. Branka e nedostajati svom suprugu od 30 godina, Milosavu-Miši, svom sinu Dušanu (Željki), svojim sestrama, Dari, Seni, i Nadi, svojim neacima i neakinjama, svojoj familiji i mnogim dragim prijateljima. Roena 27. januara 1958. godine u Sarajevu, u Bosni i Hercegovini, Branka je imigrirala u Kanadu sa suprugom i sinom u maju 1997. godine i veinu svog vremena provela živeci u Mont Bleu (Hull). Studirala je na Ekonomskom fakultetu u Sarajevu i provela 12 godina karijere u Revenue Canada. Branka je uživala u šetnjama, skijanju i uvijek je cijenila i održavala bliske odnose s porodicom i prijateljima. Branka je s ponosom bodrila svog sina Dušana tokom njegove vaterpolo karijere, i njezina podrška e puno nedostajati. Branku emo pamtiti kao borca i ženu velikog srca. Sahrana e biti u srijedu 23. decembra. Opelo e biti u crkvi Sveti Stefan, 1993 Prince of Wales Dr u Otavi, sa poetkom od 12 casova. Svi koji žele, porodici mogu da izjave saucešce od 11 asova u crkvi. Sahrana e biti na Cimetiere Saint Rédempteur na Boulevard de la Cité des-Jeunes na raskrsnici Boulevard Gamelin u Gatineau (Hull) u 13:45 asova. Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home tel. (613) 233-1488 http://www.whelanfuneralhome.ca/services.html

Dealing with Grief over the Holiday Season Why You Don’t Have to be Strong There couldn’t be a more inappropriate phrase for a grieving person than, Stay or be strong for others. Someone is experiencing a loss, they are in pain, their routine has been turned upside down, they are struggling with basic day to day activities and they are asked to be strong. They are expected to put on a façade that they are coping well following the death of someone they loved. ... If they follow this advice, they are in fact not being honest to others, or to themselves. This is not a healthy way to grieve. Open and honest dialogues are especially important at times such as these. Expressing emotions and sharing feelings help in the journey with grief recovery. Bottling everything up inside needs to be avoided. Over the holiday season, there will be many social traditions that you will likely maintain which involve being in the company of others. It’s ok to share that you are still hurting from your loss. Those who care about you will understand. They will also understand if you need to step away from certain activities. Do try to be with others as much as possible. Simply explaining that you are still having bouts of sadness, you are still grieving and you are not your ‘former fun loving self’ may be all that’s needed. If possible try to find simple joys in the holiday season. They are there. And they may be found when you least expect them. Whelan Funeral Home/CFHC Online

Deleting a Deceased Person’s Facebook Account Often when someone who is active on Facebook dies, their next of kin are tasked with the responsibility to tend to their online presence. If the deceased has left a record of their passwords, this task is simplified. A decision is made about the future status of the page and then this is acted on. Without the password the following steps need to be taken:... 1. First click the ? at the top right hand corner of the page, 2. Then visit the Help Center," 3. Next, type in the search box "delete a deceased person's account" 4. Then click this link: https://www.facebook.com/help/150486848354038/?ref=u2u 5. Then click the link: request the removal 6. Here you will find step by step instructions for removal. Note that you will need to provide documentation that you are next of kin and proof of death. Following step four you also have the choice to Memorialize the Account. The word Remembering will appear next to the person’s name. This allows family and friends to continue to view pictures and memories of the departed into the future. Whelan Funeral Home/CFHC Online

Saying Goodbye Concert: Sunday, November 15, 7 p.m. ET For Those Who Lost Someone Close During the Pandemic Since the outbreak of Covid, physical distancing protocols have meant that some families have not been able to mourn their loved ones with a proper funeral or celebration of live. The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association working with sponsors, is providing a memorial service dedicated to those who have died during the pandemic. ... This virtual event will include performances by well-known Canadian performers and entertainers. The Concert is available on YouTube. Click the link and then the button Watch on YouTube to watch: https://www.chpca.ca/sayinggoodbyeconcert/... Thank you to The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association for coordinating this special tribute.

VALENTINO, Nora It is with great sadness that the family of Nora Vienna Valentino announces her passing October 7, 2020 at Villagia in the Glebe, Ottawa, ON. Born March 20, 1926 in North Minto, NB she was the daughter of the late Giovanni Valentino and Domenica Cherubini. Nora is survived by her brother Ferdinand Valentino (late Jean Marie); Nieces and nephews Joe Valentino (Brenda), John Valentino, Billy Valentino (Anne Marie), Nora Valentino, Caterina Valentino (Owen Parker...), Linda Gregan (late Tom), Lisa Vigneault (Paul); and several great nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Nora was predeceased by her brothers Achille (late Yolanda) and Henry (late Florence). Nora experienced an abundance of travel during her career with External Affairs. She was stationed in Ottawa several times and held postings in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Moscow, U.S.S.R.; Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania; Warsaw, Poland; London, England; Paris, France and Rome, Italy. During her time at these postings she travelled to many surrounding countries. Nora also had a deep appreciation for the arts whether it be paintings, literature or attending operas, ballets and symphonies. She loved the Bolshoi and the National Arts Centre. She led a truly remarkable life and will be missed by friends and family. Service and interment will take place in the spring in Minto, NB. Donations may be made to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation or the National Arts Centre. Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home tel. (613) 233-1488 http://www.whelanfuneralhome.ca/services.html

Remembrance Day Observance To the brave and courageous who have died in conflicts around the world; to their families who continue to mourn their loss; we acknowledge your sacrifice. We are thankful for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy and we continue to remember as we pause in silence in memory.

GOODWIN, Robert Douglas After a beautiful and full life, Doug passed away peacefully November 6th with his loving partner and children by his side. Proud Papa of Grant (Miki), Micheline (Stephen) and Stephanie (Drew) and loving grandfather of Jonny, Kirk, Ethan, Ian, Sam, and Charlie. Butch was especially close to his siblings Alice (late David Parkinson), John (Shirley), and Nancy (Ron Hutchinson), his nieces, nephews and their children.... Born in Ottawa in 1939, Doug lived a full life in the city he loved dearly. He dedicated his life’s work to education, with a distinguished career as a teacher and principal with the ORCSSB. Doug’s most notable stop was at St. Anthony School on Booth Street, where he immersed himself in the community and became a lifelong regular at both Giovanni’s coffee shop and St. Anthony’s Church. Nothing made Butch happier than time with his family, telling old stories about growing up in Ottawa and afternoons spent at the ballpark or football game. Baseball and all sports were his passion, with the Astros and Lynx dominating his comically large ball cap collection. When not in Ottawa, Doug could be found in Florida with Colleen, either in the pool or on a long beach walk. In his later years if you wanted to catch up with him, you’d need to join him at the coffee shop or on his daily walk at Carlingwood. Above all, Butch was a family man, always kind, generous and agreeable. He was the first one to line up for roller coaster rides, a fixture at Ottawa CFL games, the MC of our family events, and the generous provider of Christmas prizes for everyone. He was humble and grateful for his family, regularly saying he felt blessed and that he didn’t know how he got so lucky. We are forever thankful for the team that took such care with Doug over the last decade, including Drs. Mielniczuk, Nehme and McCormick. For those who wish, donations to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated. Due to the pandemic, a private service will be held. Doug is so loved and will be fondly remembered by his family, friends and the communities he was part of. There won’t be another one like him. God saw you were getting tired, And a cure was not to be. So he put His arms around you And whispered, 'Come to Me.'" Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home tel. (613) 233-1488 http://www.whelanfuneralhome.ca/services.html

Rosehart, Damien We announce the death of Damien Ralph Patrick Rosehart, born March 17th (St. Patrick's Day) 1982 at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Damien passed November 14 2020 at General Campus of the Ottawa Hospital suddenly and peacefully from undiagnosed rare leukemia blood cancer at the young age of 38. Damien resided with his parents in the Ottawa Greenbelt area. Damien blasted into this world achieving in leaps and bounds both in mind and spirit. He grew into a strong an...d intelligent father of 3 beautiful boys and became a stellar renovation tradesman always striving for perfection in all things he approached. Full of integrity and empathy you could always rely upon him. Every new soul he met became a friend for life. Damien left behind three sons; Drake at 16, Owen at 12, Reese at 10 and their mother Lisa Stavri. His parents Ralph and Madie. His brothers Devon and Jayson. His sisters Violet and Tamara, and a world of friends and extended family members Special thanks and appreciation to all the exceptional medical staff at the General Campus/ Ottawa Hospital. A private family service will be held on Monday, November 23, 2020 at 1 pm. Friends and relatives are asked to join a virtual service through Facebook live. A link to the service will be available on Monday. Arrangements entrusted to the Whelan Funeral Home tel. (613) 233-1488 http://www.whelanfuneralhome.ca/services.html

Remembering Alex Trebek July 22, 1940 - November 8, 2020 TV personality Alex Trebek represented Canada to the world in a truly dignified way. His soft spoken and engaging ways paved the way for the night time game-show, Jeopardy, to stay atop television ratings for more than 35 years. ... Canadians and Americans have been welcoming Alex Trebek into their living rooms since 1984. Where he not only entertained us with knowledge and trivia, but also showed us how a classy Canadian can rise to the top of prime time television. Trebek was born in Sudbury, Ontario, where he lived until he moved to the nation’s capital and studied at the University of Ottawa. Following his education, he went onto work for the CBC and hosted ‘Reach for the Top’ in the 1960’s. He would eventually move to United States where he would host a number of game shows over the course of his career in television. At a personal level, Trebek was a horse lover and owned a ranch where he bred and trained thoroughbred racehorses. His philanthropic efforts included charitable work for World Vision Canada and United Service Organizations. His fondness for Canada and Canadians was always very much evident throughout his life. In addition to his many visits and public appearances in our nation, he also lobbied the producers of Jeopardy to include at least one question on Canada in each show. In 2019, Trebek was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He openly fought the disease, making sure fans were given timely updates. At one point he entered remission. Sadly the cancer returned and he passed Sunday, November 8th. He will always be remembered fondly by trivia fans around the world and Canadians across our country. If asked, we will always know the answer to Who is Alex Trebek?

Lost for Words Many of us fumble for words, sometimes even in normal day to day situations. So it’s no surprise that we feel awkward when meeting and expressing condolences at a wake or funeral service. It’s important to remember that just being present to support the family is, in itself, a kind gesture and will be remembered. You’ve taken the time to show them you care about them and their loss. Take a moment to think about what you’re going to say in advance. Some ideas fo...llow. Standard expressions of condolence include: I am sorry for your loss. My sincere or deepest sympathies. My condolences. They will be dearly missed. I am here for you. If there’s anything I can do to help. Please call. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If you want to say more: I wish I had the right words. Know that I care. They brought so much joy to others. They will be fondly remembered. May the memories you’ve shared bring you comfort and peace. Share a special virtue they possessed and tell a story about it. Share a personal experience you had with them and something they taught you about life. Share something special about them that has benefited others. Always use kind words. Say the name of the deceased. Remember that expressions of sympathy are to comfort. Avoid sayings such as they are in a better place. Being sincere and being vulnerable is especially important at times such as these. Whelan Funeral Home/CFHC Online

SEARS, Michael Anthony Michael Anthony Sears passed away peacefully on November 11, 2020 at the age of 82 years. Michael graduated from Loyola College in 1961 and lived and worked in Montreal and Ottawa. Predeceased by his parents, Russell and Marjorie, his brother David and his longtime partner Diane Davidson. He will be sadly missed by his daughter Tracy (Sean), his siblings Terry (Cathy), Maureen (Dan) and Virginia (Ed), nieces and nephews, grandchildren and many dear frie...nds. Michael will be remembered for his mind for numbers, his love of football and his sense of humour. He will be buried in Montreal at a later date. The family wishes to thank the staff and physicians at the Ottawa Hospital for their care and support. In memoriam, a donation to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to The Whelan Funeral Home, tel. 613.233-1488. http://www.whelanfuneralhome.ca/services.html Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Marie Curie