State Sen. Jim Whelan Died Of Heart Attack, Office Says

State Sen. Jim Whelan’s untimely passing was the result of a heart attack, his office announced Wednesday morning. Whelan died on Tuesday at the age of 68.

“Up until the moment he passed, Jim was doing what he loved, talking about his beloved City of Atlantic City. After ordering subs from his favorite White House Sub Shop, he was at his house ready to talk to a Netflix documentary crew about Atlantic City when he passed,” his office said in a statement. “Senator James Whelan died yesterday after suffering a heart attack at his home. His passing was quick, and he felt no pain.

“The Whelan family wishes to thank the first responders of the Atlantic City Fire Department, paramedics, doctors and staff at AtlantiCare Hospital in Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Police Department, and all the well-wishers who have reached out to his family, staff, and friends.”

A memorial service in Whelan’s honor will be held in Atlantic City in the coming weeks. Details will be revealed in the near future.

On Wednesday, Whelan’s office acknowledged that the longtime representative was in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to have a cancerous growth removed from his kidneys. He returned home last week.

See related: Jim Whelan’s Sudden Passing Shocks Officials, Colleagues

Officials continued to remember Whelan on Wednesday. Former Sen. William Gormley, a Republican, remembered how Whelan helped reshape Atlantic City in the 1990s. Both worked in a bipartisan fashion to help build a tunnel that connected the Boardwalk area with the north end.

"It's sad. He loved Atlantic City He was committed to the city every waking hour," he said. "We worked together in a bipartisan passion As a team we made a difference. There was very little self interest to Jim. He was a great partner."

New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel echoed the sentiment of Whelan as a great partner.

“We are sad to hear about Senator Jim Whelan’s sudden passing and our hearts go out to his family," Tittel said. "As Mayor of Atlantic City, Jim was influential in transforming the city and improving the lives of its residents. When he became a Senator, Jim was a strong leader for clean energy in New Jersey. He sponsored legislation to allow for windmills on our piers, helping make offshore wind a reality, and turning landfills into solar farms. Jim was also a strong advocate for preserving open space and helping to protect our coastal waterways from pollution from fertilizer and storm water runoff. He supported bills to clean up Barnegat Bay and protect our beaches and coast. He also sponsored a bill to improve cleanups of brown fields. Jim was really a champion for the environment and we endorsed him in every race.

“Jim was also a leader in the protection of the New Jersey Pinelands. He sponsored a bill that would allow for Pineland Development Credits to be sent to Atlantic City and Pleasantville to take development pressure off of growth areas in the Pinelands. This allows appropriate growth to move forward in Southern New Jersey and brings additional funds to Pineland growth areas in Atlantic County while preserving one of the most environmentally sensitive regions in the state. I’ve worked with Jim for many years and he was deeply committed to protecting our environment and to making sure that our air and water are clean and we had preserved open space. Jim will be missed. However, when you go to Atlantic City beaches or the New Jersey Pinelands, you will see Jim Whelan’s legacy.”

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and colleague in the New Jersey State Senate, Jim Whelan," State Sen. Fred Madden said. "Jim was a person of remarkable integrity and character who chose a life of public service because he truly cared about making a positive difference in other people's lives. I can say with the utmost sincerity that he was among the most genuinely kind and decent people I have ever served with. He was a tremendous asset to the State Senate, our South Jersey delegation, and the State of New Jersey at-large. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this most difficult time.”

Attached image provided by Sen. Jim Whelan’s Office