Bridgewater Dad Dies, Family Hospitalized With Coronavirus

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The new coronavirus has wrecked havoc onto the lives of a Bridgewater family, killing the father and hospitalizing the wife and children. A fundraiser has been started to help out the family.

Tony Whalen died on Wednesday from the COVID-19 virus. His wife and two children are also hospitalized with the same virus, said Andrew Wong, a close friend of the family.

Wong started the GoFundMe page to help cover medical expenses and now funeral expenses.

"He is the first person to reach out his hand to lift you up when things go wrong. He is the guy cheering you on in your endeavors, rallying the group to help those in need and giving brotherly love at the most needed times. Well, now Tony and his family are in need. It is time for us to give back some of the love and support we have all received over the years," Wong wrote on the GoFundMe page.

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Wong described Whalen as generous and one who is always trying to make other people's lives better.

"I wanted to help his family in their time of need," Wong said.

Whalen's wife and two children were hospitalized on Tuesday with COVID-19 before Tony died on Wednesday.

"We are adjusting the goal in order to cover the entire family hospitalization, Tony's burial, and funeral expenses, and to help the family deal with their tremendous loss. Please continue to keep the family in your prayers and share the campaign," Wong said.

The GoFundMe has already raised more than $92,000 of the $150,000 goal. For more information or to make a donation visit gofundme.com/f/whalen-family-support.

As of Thursday morning there were a total of three deaths and 22 positive new coronavirus cases in Bridgewater Township. (See Related: 2 More Deaths, 7 New Coronavirus Cases In Bridgewater2 More Deaths, 7 New Coronavirus Cases In Bridgewater)

In Somerset County the total number of cases has risen to 190 as of Thursday.

Here is a breakdown of Somerset County towns and number of COVID-19 cases as of Thursday:

• Bedminster - 7, 1 death
• Bernards Township - 12
• Bernardsville - 8
• Bound Brook - 5
• Branchburg - 12
• Bridgewater - 22, 3 deaths
• Far Hills - 0
• Franklin - 41, 1 death
• Green Brook - 5
• Hillsborough - 18
• Manville - 7
• Millstone - 1
• Mongtomery - 11
• North Plainfield - 12
• Peapack-Gladstone - 2
• Raritan - 3
• Rocky Hill - 0
• Somerville - 5
• South Bound Brook - 3
• Warren - 12
• Watchung - 7

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