John "Jack" A. Kelly

Portland - John “Jack” A. Kelly, 92, of Sag Harbor, New York, passed away in his apartment in Portland, Maine on May 7, 2020.

 He was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 20, 1927, the son of John and Joanne (Flaherty) Kelly. He was the third of four children. Jack lived a full life! He was a dedicated Grandad who was always there to pick up his grandchildren from the bus stop or from school. He was driving up until this past December. He worked out three times a week until the age of 91. He attended mass every day. He was a Eucharistic minister and a volunteer who counted money for the church. He also did his own shopping and cooking up until six months before his passing. He was a kind man who was positive, caring and always quick with a “dad” joke.

He entered the Navy in 1945 as a high school student. He was a Fireman, First Class V6 USNR. After the navy, he entered the seminary which he attended for 7 years. After changing his course, he decided to go into education. He received a diploma from Hofstra University in Education. He would go on to become a guidance counselor, then a math teacher and finally an assistant principal of West Hollow Junior High in Dix Hills, New York. He worked in the education field for 27 years before retiring.

He married Marion Rita (nee Hefferon) on March 21, 1970 where they lived in West Islip, until moving to Southampton, New York.  They were married for 32 years before her passing in 2002.  He then lived with his daughter Marion, her husband, Chris and their three children for the past 17 years in both Southampton and Sag Harbor, NY. He recently moved to Portland, Maine to be near his daughter Cara and her family. He enjoyed getting to see “Maine'' grandchildren but did not like the cold.

He is survived by his daughters; Annmarie Kelly of New York, Marion Tanner of Sag Harbor, New York and her husband Chris, Cara Colgan of Portland, Maine and her husband Patrick. Jack was a proud grandfather of eight grandchildren, Stefani Kiefer, John Ryan Gillespie, Ethan Tanner, Quinn Tanner, Gillian “Gigi” Tanner, Cassius Colgan, Mavis Colgan and Magnus Colgan. Jack was predeceased by his brother Martin Kelly and sister Joan Kelly. Surviving sister Eunice Valentine Donlan of New Jersey and her husband Frank. He was uncle to several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews. A small mass was held on Monday, May 11th in Portland, Maine. A Celebration of Life will be held once the requirement of social distancing related to the current pandemic has passed.

 "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal."

- Irish Proverb

If friends or family desire a memorial donation in John’s name can be made to the following;

www.bbbsli.org
Big Brother Big Sister of Long Island
145 Sycamore Ave
Islandia, NY 11749

www.SoMeBigs.org
Southern Maine Big Brother Big Sisters
625 Main Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
 

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