Good Friend Joe Whelen Is Riding in Heaven

[Frank Z.]

Unbearably sad. Had a few dealings with Joe, and as stated, all of them were solid and super easy. His passion and contributions for what we do will surely be missed. RIP buddy.

[BigD_83]

Oh no. That's terrible news. While I never had the pleasure of meeting Joe in person, I appreciated his contributions here, and he will be missed.

[salty_monk]

Very sad always enjoyed watching a thread of his builds.

[suzuki_dog]

Sad news about Joe. Condolences to his family. I never met Joe, but had some dealings with him, parts, etc. He was always helpful and knowledgeable and very friendly. May he rest in peace.

[TxGSrider]

I didn't know Joe, which is a shame. I had heard about this on the news but didn't realize he was a member here and that he lived just a few miles away. I'm sorry that I didn't have the chance to meet him.

[chuck hahn]

NOTICE..NOTICE.

I have been in contact with Joes family and His obit is posted on the VJ MOTO Facebook page. The family asks that any donation be made and proceeds will be used for his daughters college trust fund.

For those not on Fbook heres a link.

https://www.mulkeymasonlewisville.com/obituary/joseph-whelan?fbclid=IwAR3Y0PAabz2byEP7VPL07e-278pYNOY1e9WGtprs8ObX4dR8ddhjgeR3Bfg

[Charlie G]

Sorry to hear of Joe's death.

[greg78gs750]

wow....very sad for his family. His work was impeccable. A loss to the community for sure...

[GS1150Pilot]

He was a great guy. Tragic loss.

[blowerbike]

very sad to read this...Joe bought my now deceased brothers CB1100F and was very easy to deal with.
RIP

[sedelen]

Such terrible and unexpected news, such a freak accident. I bought parts from him and enjoyed reading his posts, a straight up guy who everyone would like to have as their friend.

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

I also considered Joe a friend, had many dealings with him, bought/sold bikes between each other. Been to his house, he'd been to mine in Texas. Heck, 2 weeks ago he sent me a message about a ZL900 and was going to give me a good deal on it, but I already had too many and turned it onto somebody else, they were VERY happy with the bike. Dealing with Joe was also fair and easy, he was such a good egg. I was on my way to Florida on vacation, just getting ready to stop at the Barber Museum in Birmingham, when I got a Facebook message from another Texas friend, notifying me of his passing. I was also in shock. I can tell you this. There were MANY bikes in that museum that I know Joe had experience with, he had such great taste in vintage bikes, I especially thought of him as I was looking at the big Honda Interceptors, I knew had just recently sold one and I sent him Craigslist ads frequently on those particular bikes. I knew what he was into and vice versa, he sent me links to muscle bikes all the time. One time I found a vintage 82 Champagne color Suzuki GS1100E matching helmet on Craigslist and went and picked it up for Joe, knew he wanted it and he was very happy to have it, but he would have done the same thing for me. I know he was quite the family man too, he also posted MANY times on Facebook about his daughter, he called her "peeps", and the times he spent with her, art was one of her gifts if I remember correctly, Joe would post proudly some of her finest creations. I still can't believe he's gone. Even after I moved from away from Texas, we've kept in contact and I know everyone here is saddened by his passing. It put a very melancholy mood on my vacation with my wife, but I also realized that every day is a gift, and you really have to live every day like it's your last, because it very well could be. This one just hit way too close to home, gonna miss you Joe. Rest in Peace my friend, you will not be forgotten.

[bobgroger]

RIP Joe. THinking of your family...

[ptegsotic]

oh crap. sorry to hear of this!

[nvr2old]

Just read the news on Joe. What a sad loss to his family and to motorcycling. I painted a couple of bikes for Joe. His Honda Nighthawk S, and his Honda VFR1000R. The VFR one of the toughest paint jobs I ever did. Joe was patient, kind, appreciative, and never tried to talk me down on prices. He was a true gentleman, and an absolute pleasure to do business with. His building skills just blew my mind. His bikes were so tastefully done and so cool to look at. He always had a less is more quality to all his projects. They were jaw-dropping beautiful machines. I, too, always wanted to collaborate with him on a project but with the thousands of miles between he and myself, it never happened. It's a loss to all. R.I.P. Joe.

Here's just a few pics of the bikes I did for him. Seems like a long time ago now...