It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Conner S. Whalen, our beloved son and brother, who passed away unexpectedly at home on May 6, 2025.

Conner was the cherished son of Mandy (Barber) Whalen of Holyoke, MA, and Kevin Whalen of South Hadley, MA, and a loving brother to Brennan Whalen of Holyoke, MA.

Born and raised in the City of Holyoke, Conner attended public, parochial, and private schools in the area. One of his fondest memories was his time at the former Curtis Blake Center Day School in Springfield, MA, where he learned to navigate life with his dyslexia, along with his mother, who was always his number one advocate. His proudest accomplishment was graduating from Hampshire Regional High School in 2020.

Conner will be remembered for his deep love of the outdoors. He was an avid long-distance runner, an interest he inherited from his father, a two-time Boston Marathon finisher. Conner participated in many local races, including the annual Turkey Trot and St. Patrick’s Day Road Race, and could often be seen running around the local reservoirs.

In the springtime, Conner loved tending to his garden, carefully selecting the perfect plants to grow. Over time, he developed a passion for photography, capturing scenes he found beautiful and learning how to enhance his photos using Photoshop. He often sprinted out of the house to catch the perfect sunset.

Conner also loved the ocean. He spent many summers with his family in Narragansett, RI, riding waves on his boogie board. At age 13, his love of the water inspired him to become a skilled swimmer. He competed on the Westfield Waves, Holyoke Vikings, and Holyoke High School Swim Team, excelling in freestyle and butterfly events.

One of Conner’s favorite pastimes in the spring and summer was going to see the latest superhero movies with his brother Brennan. Both of them shared an interest in pop culture and in Marvel and DC movies. Afterwards, they would finish the night off by going to eat at one of Conner’s favorite food joints, Jersey Mike’s.

Most recently, Conner worked at Holyoke Medical Center as a food service clerk. He had enjoyed cooking since the age of 10, inspired by a close family friend Kirk Williams who he considered a stepdad. His favorite specialties were stuffed mushrooms, turkey chili, and his breaded turkey meatballs. He had recently been considering returning to college to study culinary arts. At work, his favorite part of the day was delivering trays and chatting with patients, offering them a simple “hello” or “how are you?”

Conner was a giving and compassionate soul. He had a deep empathy for people, especially those who struggled with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, as he had. He connected naturally with those in need and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He truly was a giver, someone who understood life’s struggles and faced them with strength and grace.

Though Conner’s journey ended too soon, the love he gave and the lives he touched will continue to ripple outward, like the waves he rode each summer.

Conner is survived by his mother, Mandy (Barber) Whalen of Holyoke, MA; his father, Kevin Whalen, and his wife Lisa of South Hadley, MA; and his brother, Brennan Whalen of Holyoke, MA. He is also survived by his aunts Kathleen Whalen and Eileen Whalen of Longmeadow, MA ; his uncles Robert Whalen of West Springfield, MA, and Daniel Whalen and his wife Eva of Westfield, MA; close family friend, Kirk Williams of Chicopee, as well as many other beloved family members.

He was predeceased by his grandparents Scott Barber, James and Phyllis Whalen, and his cousin Victoria Whalen.

A memorial service for Conner will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke. Calling hours will be from 9:30 to 11:00 AM.

As we gather to remember and celebrate Conner’s life, we kindly ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.