RIP David Whelan

RIP David (5.00 / 1)

David was a really decent and genuine guy. We didn't always agree on things, but I'll miss seeing his posts and comments here and seeing him out on the campaign trail. Very sad news.

---

by: Joe Sheehan @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 14:25:16 PM UTC

Saddened to hear this news. (5.00 / 1)

David and I did quite a bit of sparring back in 2010, but I think we both enjoyed the back and forth (until I came around to his perspective) and respected each other. Rest in Peace.  

---

by: Brent041 @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 14:36:38 PM UTC

So sorry to read this (5.00 / 1)

Haven't seen him in a few months, expected to run into him throughout the fall campaigns as in other years. Really enjoyed his intelligence and depth of understanding; what a shame. Thanks for letting us know, Charlie and Rob.

---

by: Barbara Anderson @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 15:31:48 PM UTC

A hero in the strife (5.00 / 1)

David and I became friends because of Red Mass Group, through which we discovered our shared support for much of the reform agenda that Charlie Baker campaigned on.

I appreciated Dave's passion for politics and policy, especially on education (someday we will make Chapter 70 funding truly equitable, D!), his intellect and wonderful wit, his "Ten Random Things" posts, which were just so cool - and in the end, his incredible, quiet bravery.

In the short time that I knew him, it was clear to me that David lived up to Wordsworth's call:  "In the world's broad field of battle/...Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife!"

I will miss him more than I can express here. Prayers to the Whelan family.

Any man who afflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood. - H. L. Mencken

---

by: MiracleGirl @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 16:01:35 PM UTC

*Longfellow, not Wordsworth (0.00 / 0)

Mea culpa. Here are some of David's random things posts if you want a chuckle - he was such a character:

http://www.redmassgroup.com/sh...
http://www.redmassgroup.com/sh...
http://www.redmassgroup.com/sh...

Any man who afflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood. - H. L. Mencken

---

by: MiracleGirl @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 16:21:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Principled Warrior (5.00 / 1)

It's no secret to any RMG veteran that David Whelan & I haven't been the closest of friends over the past couple of years.  David wasted no opportunity to take a shot at me for what he viewed was a violation of his principles.  I can't say that I enjoyed or agreed with that but I certainly respected him for being a crusader for what he thought was right & just for the Commonweath and country.

God bless and rest in peace.

---

by: BNCordeiro @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 16:03:55 PM UTC

RIP David. (5.00 / 3)

Condolences to your family.

David's cell number is still in my phone. We got to know each other because of RMG and our support for Charlie Baker. We often called each other to share ideas and information. I always enjoyed is intellect and wit.

His absence during his fight with cancer was a gaping hole in the debate here on RMG and he will be sorely missed as we move forward.

Rest in peace. You were a gentleman and a citizen in the fullest sense of both words.

G.O.P. Growth. Opportunity. Prosperity. For all Americans.

Karl (TLC)Weld

---

by: TLCWeld @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 16:13:04 PM UTC

I am very saddened by this news. I never met David in person (5.00 / 1)

but I felt I knew him well through his posts. He was a fighter for a more equitable local aid formula. The RMG community is poorer with his passing but stronger knowing that David shared our principles to liberty.

Condolences to his family.

KM

"Work is the essence of Man."

---

by: Karl Marx @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 18:41:08 PM UTC

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Whelan Family (5.00 / 1)

I didn't know him personally, but I always enjoyed his point of view and commentary here.  

(R)- Outside 495

---

by: MerrimackMan @ Sat Sep 01, 2012 at 19:47:13 PM UTC

Dave Whelan was a great guy (5.00 / 1)

I first started having conversations with him after comments and replies here on RMG. We talked on the phone or e-mailed regularly. I finally met him face to face last May.

I only knew him for a couple of years and thought he was great. Many people that knew him for longer thought he was even greater.

Link from Swampscott Patch

---

by: tomasek1000 @ Sun Sep 02, 2012 at 01:53:02 AM UTC

Very sad news indeed.... (0.00 / 0)

I feel as though we have lost someone truly special...  I am very saddened to hear of this loss.......  

We are headed for a 'Fiscal Cliff' and the country just elected a dope whose motto is 'Forward'.  

---

by: Vote3rdpartynow @ Mon Sep 03, 2012 at 13:34:16 PM UTC