Cover photo for Douglas Whelan's Obituary
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1941 Douglas 2022

Douglas Whelan

May 4, 1941 — January 12, 2022

Douglas F. "Doug" Whelan, 80, died peacefully with his wife by his side on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Doug had a long and happy life and always had a big smile on his face. Doug was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 8 years ago. His family had lovingly taken care of him at home until his Alzheimer's had progressed and he was admitted to memory care 5 months ago. Even then he came home several times a week to enjoy some of his favorite things; a meatloaf dinner, chocolate ice cream, time with the family dogs, boating with the granddaughters, being with family, and occasional visits to Peckers with good friends. He spent an afternoon home with his wife and children and the dogs just 5 days before he passed. He even had a bowl of ice cream.
Born in Rockville Centre, NY on May 4, 1941, to Elizabeth and James Whelan, he grew up on Long Island with 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Doug spent summers out on the north shore of Long Island boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and eventually spending summers in the 'barn' on Old Harbor Lights in New Suffolk, NY. The 'barn' was literally a barn that his father purchased and Doug helped to renovate first as a young boy with his dad and uncles and again as a married man with his brother-in-law's. Doug and his young family loved spending summers and holidays there until he, and Trisha, made several career moves to places far and wide.
Doug graduated from Nassau Community College with an Associate's in 1964, and from Hofstra University with a BA in 1966. He started his career at Price Waterhouse Co. in NYC shortly after graduating but was drafted into the Army in October 1966, where he eventually met his wife, Trisha. Doug graduated at the top of his basic training class receiving the American Spirit Honor Medal in January 1967. He was honorably discharged in October 1968 as a Specialist Fifth Class. Upon being discharged he went back to his position with Price Waterhouse Co. in NYC where he spent another 4 years before going into private industry as a CPA with Loctite in Newington, CT. Doug worked until he was 71. He retired at the end of 2012 from Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham, NC where he worked for 15 years. He loved his time at Duke and all the people he worked with there.
In December 1970, he married Trisha Coulombe and together they lived in seven different states as well as abroad in the Netherlands over their 51 years of marriage. Their last move to Charleston in 2016 was to be closer to their daughter Holly, son-in-law Michael and granddaughters Addison, Ansley, and Alivia. Son, Shawn, moved to Charleston in 2017 to help with Doug's care.
Doug loved his family, boating, dogs, beer, chocolate ice cream, ketchup on everything of course, and a good party. He often combined all of them on whatever boat he had at the time. Throughout their married years, Doug and Trisha owned more than 20 boats (if you count the dinghies about 26). For many years, son Shawn worked alongside Doug restoring or 'flipping' the boats.
Doug was adventurous and loved life. He was his happiest when he was on the water surrounded by friends and family, along with a dog and a cooler of beer. Some of his greatest times were in Charleston, where he enjoyed nothing better than being taken on a boat ride with Holly and Michael and watching his granddaughter's out on the water. He will be remembered for always having a good laugh and thinking he caught one of us unawares by saying "gotcha!" He would laugh at any joke especially the ones he told! He was affable, kindhearted, helpful (often to strangers), and loving. He will be remembered for his beautiful smile, sparkling blue eyes, crazy hats, sense of humor, and infectious laugh.

Doug is survived by his loving wife Trisha, his daughter Holly Culp (Michael), son, Shawn, and four beautiful and talented granddaughters: Addison, Ansley and Alivia Culp, and Rylie Whelan. He is also survived by his brother, Jimmy Whelan (Maureen), and sisters, Betty (Friemann), Lynn (Hank) Reinecker, and Kathleen (John) Tierney. As well as many loving nieces and nephews and in-laws to list here. He loved them all and was the one who taught many of them to drive a boat, waterski, and sail!!
A memorial service will be held on January 26, 2022, at 2:00 pm - with food to follow the service. The service is at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414.
Doug enjoyed working in the yard and improved the landscaping in every home he and Trisha owned. In lieu of flowers, the family would like either outdoor plants for around the yard to plant in Doug's memory; or donations to the Charleston Animal Society, at 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Douglas Whelan, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Memorial Service

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

2:00 - 4:00 pm

McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - West Ashley

2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414

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