Desmond J. Whelan, Jr., age 76, of West Richland, died April 18th 2010 at the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick.

Born in Chicago, October 7, 1933, he later moved with his parents Desmond J. Whelan, Sr. and Adele to Long Beach, California where he and siblings attended St. Anthony's. He served in the US Army in 1953 and 1954 when he married Marjorie Milner. He graduated from Pacific Coast University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Laws and worked as a Contracts and Project Manager in the aerospace industry. He was most proud of his work with McDonald Douglas Aerospace and his involvement with the Apollo project where his and others' names were set on a small monument and placed on the moon. Des loved to sail and fish with friends and sons off the coast of California. He would often take his young sons fishing late at night, off the piers of southern California, where he patiently spent his time repairing the reels and tackle they would destroy.

In 1977 the family moved to the Tri-Cities where Des worked as a Business Manager in nuclear power plant construction; he later worked as a Consultant for various construction companies and law firms in the Northwest, Indiana and California. In 1993 Des married Kathy Moore. In retirement he enjoyed hosting family gatherings, trips to the Oregon Coast and a very special cruise to Alaska with Kathy and brother Allan. A proud Irishman, Des will be remembered as a friend and mentor who could solve the imponderables and a man with much heart who could always prompt a smile.

Des was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Pat Gates, and his brothers Robert and James Whelan. His first son, Timothy C. Whelan, who was loved dearly, died in 1985.

He is survived by his wife Kathy Whelan of West Richland; brother Allan Whelan and his son Kevin Whelan and family of Long Beach, CA; son Desmond Whelan Lori of Kennewick; son Donald Whelan of Lusby, MD; daughter Joan Helfond Randy of San Marcos, CA; daughter Doreen Renoud John of Lebanon, OR; daughter Sheila Whelan of San Marcos, CA; son Scott Moore Stacey of Pasco; and grandchildren Brett and Carmen Whelan, Cory and Caitlin Whelan, Jessica Helfond, Chris and Cassey Renoud, Abby Whelan, and Makayla and Emma Moore. His mother in law Wilma McBride of West Richland, and many others will miss Des very much.

The family would like to give special thanks to Drs. Matthew Lawrence, Gadson Vaz and Sheila Rege, and the Cancer Center and Hospice House staff for their compassionate care of Des in his final weeks.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Christ the King Church in Richland, WA, Saturday, May 1 at 11 AM with a graveside service following at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Einan's Funeral Home in Richland is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House or the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.