Richard William "Dick" Whelpley

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1940, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; In the 1940 US Census he was recorded, aged 8, while living with his parents at 37 Jay Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
• Residence: About 1950, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; He was living in Boston, Massachusetts.
• Moved To: 1956, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts; In 1956, Richard and Andrea moved to Athol, Massachusetts.
• Residence: 1960, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts; Richard and Andrea were listed as living at 216 Prospect, Athol, Massachusetts. Richard is listed as a mechanic.
• Residence: Mar 1964, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He lived in Athol, Massachusetts at the time of his father, Edward Whelpley's death.
• Residence: Sep 1987, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts; He lived in Athol, Massachusetts at the time of his wife, Andrea's death.
• Obituary: 23 Aug 2012; ATHOL -- Richard W. Whelpley, 80, died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012, at the Legend Center in Gardner. Dick was born in Boston, Jan. 20, 1932, the son of Edward H. and Evelyn (Seymore) Whelpley. Dick and his first wife Andrea (Travis) Whelpley were married on Aug. 13, 1949, and she predeceased him in 1987. He and Andrea moved to Athol in 1956, where they raised their four children. Dick was a self-employed businessman all of his working life and learned the trade of automobile mechanics from his father and his brother Howard. He was well known in this area and well respected for his knowledge of foreign cars and his fairness to his customers, many of whom did business with him for many years and became some of his closest friends. He owned and operated Silver Lake Esso, School Street Foreign Motors, Dick Whelpley's Arco Station and most recently Import Motors of Orange until his retirement in 2009 due to health issues. Dick met and married Virginia (Mallet) (Gabrenas) in 1989 and eagerly and proudly assumed the role of stepdad and "Grandpa" to her four children and grandchildren. He was happiest in their presence and in the company of his many pets over the last 23 years. Richard served proudly in a number of community positions for the town of Athol, including on the Conservation Commission, the Planning Board, the EDIC and the Board of Selectmen, where he was chairman for two years. He participated in these roles with the same commitment and fairness that was a hallmark of his life. Richard enjoyed bowling on a league for many years at the Gardner Ten Pins. He leaves his wife Virginia; his children, Elizabeth Ringus and her husband Paul, David Whelpley and his wife Priscilla, Thomas Whelpley and his wife Kathy, and Christopher Whelpley; his sister, Elaine Kolinsky; his stepchildren, Mark Gabrenas and his wife Jennifer, Kevin Gabrenas and his wife Deb, Shelly Labrie and her husband Paul, and Meredith Burt and her husband Ben; his grandchildren, Jeremy, Justin, Jonathan, Travis and Eric Whelpley, Stephanie Welsh, Erin Burke and Adrian Ringus. He also leaves his step-grandchildren, Sarah, Mark, Joshua, Kristin and her mother Sue, and Zachary Gabrenas and his mother Jen, Tessa Burt, Darius Burt and Ayden Labrie; five great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law, Tom Travis, and his God son, David Flint, and many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends whom he cherished. He was predeceased by his first wife Andrea; three brothers, Rance, Herman and Howard, and his sister Louise, and a step-grandson, Winter Clark. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m., at St. John's Church, 15 Park Ave., Athol, with the Rev. Fr. William Hobbs, rector, officiating. Calling hours will be held Friday, Aug. 24, at Higgins-O'Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol, from 6 to 8 p.m. Private burial will be at Silver Lake Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Richard's memory to the Athol Conservation Commission, 584 Main St., Suite 7, Athol, Mass. 01331, or the Athol Animal Shelter, for the care of animals, c/o the Athol Police Department, 280 Exchange St., Athol, Mass. 01331. Published by the Athol Daily News, 23 August 2012
• Last Full Review: 1 Jun 2021

Notes:

Died:
He died at the Legend Center in Gardner, Massachusetts.

Richard married Andrea Grace Travis on 13 Aug 1949 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Andrea (daughter of Andrew Alphonse Travis and Mary Josephine Burke) was born on 20 Apr 1929 in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey; died on 14 Sep 1987 in Greenfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts; was buried on 17 Sep 1987. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Virginia Mallet [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

David married Jody Ann Boudreau [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jeremy married Margaret Ruth "Meg" Sullivan [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Stephanie-lee married David Allen Welsh, II [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Stephanie-lee married Daniel Wilkins [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]