Posted June 18, 2026

Retired Permanent Deacon Gerald J. Whartenby, passed away on June 11, 2026, at the age of 79.

Deacon Whartenby was born on February 6, 1947, to the late Thomas and Jane (née Harrison) Whartenby. He was raised in Northeast Philadelphia and attended Father Judge High School and entered the United States Navy and served for over 10 years in both Active and Reserve status. He went to LaSalle University receiving a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Religion in 1980. Then he returned to La Salle University and received his Master’s Degree in Counseling in 1990. He worked for the Philadelphia Police Department and retired after 21 years and then was a teacher at Roman Catholic High School, Archbishop Ryan, Little Flower High School, Bishop McDevitt High School, and Muhlenberg College.

He was ordained on June 5, 1994, by His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, and he was assigned as Permanent Deacon at Saint Anselm Parish, Philadelphia and served there until his retirement in June 2022.

Deacon Whartenby is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joann (née Maciejewski), his daughter Janine Cahill, his son Mark, and six grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Thomas Whartenby, two sisters Betty Lafferty and Joanne Gallagher, three stepsisters Nancy Aichele, Maryanne King, and Carole King, and stepbrother Jerry King.

Reception of the Body and Visitation will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Saint Anselm Church, 12670 Dunks Ferry Road, Philadelphia. A second viewing will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, beginning at 9:30 AM followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM at Saint Anselm Church, 12670 Dunks Ferry Road, Philadelphia. The principal celebrant will be Most Reverend Keith J. Chylinski.