Michael Andrew Whelan

“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro” - Hunter S. Thompson 

Or, as Uncle Mike would say, the “... the weird get weirder.”

Michael Andrew Whelan arrived May 19, 1945, the youngest child of Walter and Lenora Whelan.

He grew up in San Diego, moving into several different neighborhoods with his family. He graduated from San Diego High School in 1963 and then served in the Air Force from 1963 unitl 1967..

After the Air Force, Mike worked for the City of San Diego Wastewater Division and retired as a supervisor in 2004.

Mike followed the Grateful Dead around the United States. When Jerry Garcia died, he drove to San Francisco to dance again to his favorite songs. Heard from Uncle Mike at a Dead Show in 1991 “How do those people down there feel about being blue (from the lights)? (pause) I bet they LOOOOVE IT!!”

Mike loved to travel, he visited South East Asia, Europe, Costa Rica, Alaska and other parts of the United States, sometimes with friends and often with family. He always seemed to find his way home, even when he “tried” to get lost. He saw amazing things on the journeys.

He was generous, loving, a pain in the ass, the funniest person you know and also beloved by his friends and family.

Michael died January 8th, 2024 in San Diego, California.

Michael is preceded in death by his two sisters, Patricia Akin of Cincinnati, Ohio and Susan Andersen of San Diego, California. On the west coast, he is survived by his nieces and nephews; Veronique Pileri, Nanette Johansen, Erika Andersen, Curran McCoy, Riley McCoy and Brent Andersen. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews on the east coast

Love you, bye Uncle Mike, Miquel, Mike, and Michael. “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” - Grateful Dead

Michael will be interned at Miramar National Cemetery on February 29th, 2024 in a short ceremony at 10:30AM

5795 Nobel Drive

San Diego, CA 92122