John J. Kelly
MASSENA — Funeral services with full military honors for John J. Kelly, 78, of 70 Prospect Ave. will be held on Friday at 12 p.m. at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Massena. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Friends are invited to call on Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Phillips Memorial Home, 64 Andrews St., Massena, N.Y. 13662.
The VFW Retirees Club will meet on Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. at the Phillips Memorial Home. The AmVets, VFW, and American Legion will meet as a group on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. at the funeral home. The Knights of Columbus will meet at 8 p.m. on Thursday to hold a service.
John passed away on Sunday (Nov. 15, 2009) at Massena Memorial Hospital.
John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ellyn; six children, Nancy and husband Doug Green of John’s Creek, Ga., Patricia Kelly and partner Heidi Jewett of Tillson, Julie and husband Greg Marshall of Malone, Ray and wife Louise Kelly of Pleasanton, Ca. John and wife Deborah Kelly of Rochester, Mich., Tom and Patricia Kelly of Florence, Ky.; 18 grandchildren, Jason Bochenek, Evan and Jake Green, Melissa and Nicholas Kelly, Corey and Justin Hebert, Adam, Matthew and Jill Kelly, Rickey Jones, Emily, Aaron and Annie Sharlow, and Morgan, Cody, Duncan and Carly Marshall of Malone.
He was born Sept. 27, 1931 in Massena, the son of Charles and Mildred (Amo) Kelly. He graduated from Massena Central High School in 1950, and attended Canton ATI. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952-1954.
He married Ellyn Veitch on Nov. 6, 1954 at St. Mary’s Church, Massena, with Rev. James Ruddy officiating. He served as commander of VFW 1143, St. Lawrence County Commander, District 4 commander, and St. Lawrence County commander of the American Legion.
He was employed at Alcoa and Reynolds Metals for 40 years, retiring in 1990 having served as line foreman and process control operator.
He was a life member of the VFW 1143, American Legion Post 79, Amvets Post 4, member of VFW 1143 Retirees Club, VFW/Amvets Rifle Squad since 1954, Knights of Columbus and Fourth Degree of St. Lawrence Council 1141, Club 37 Hunting Club and Massena Senior Citizens.
He enjoyed working with veterans, visiting family, playing cards and spending time with friends, both in the Massena area and Stuart, Fla. He also enjoyed watching the New York Mets.
Memorial contributions may be made to Amvets Rifle Squad.
Online condolences may be made to www.phillipsmemorial .com.
