John Joseph ‘Jack’ Kelly, 95, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 10, 2015, at his home in Del Mar.
He is survived by seven children, 16 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Barbara (Bobbie) Kelly; granddaughter Sarah and Chad Mahoney and great-grandchildren Morgan and Jack, Cathy and Mike Ludwig, granddaughter Kelly and Sean Monroe and great-granddaughters Victoria and Alexandra; grandson Dio Cifuni and great-granddaughter Mia; grandson Nick and Libby and great-granddaughter Charlotte, John (Chip) J. and Karen Kelly; grandson Joshua J. and Christin Kelly and great-grandchildren Preston and Emerson; granddaughter Jacqueline Kelly and grandson Brian Kelly, James T. Kelly and his family; granddaughters Kaitlyn, Maura, Natalie, and Audrey, Mary and Chuck Mason; granddaughter Madeline A. Mason, Mark and Suzanne Kelly; grandson Curtis and Scott, Denise and Del Morgan; granddaughters Taylor and Kayla. He is also survived by his brother Jerry as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents and brothers Thomas and Andrew.
Kelly was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 1, 1920. He was one of four boys born to John and Florence Mullan Kelly. He spent his childhood and early adulthood in Long Island, primarily Jamaica Long Island, New York.
He graduated from Jamaica High School and attended St. John’s University. He served in the Army during WW II as Military Police Officer. It was while serving in the Army during World War II he met his bride of 68 years, Carolyn Barham Kelly. They married in Long Branch, N.J., June 7, 1947. Kelly started his family in East Meadow, Long Island, N.Y. In 1958 they relocated to Arlington, Va., where they completed their family.
Kelly spent his professional life in the food business, starting with Armour and Company in New York City and time in food brokerage businesses throughout his career. He fully retired in 1987. He split his time between Virginia and Florida until 1998 when the Kelly’s made Vero Beach their permanent home.
He served in the Active Duty Army in WW II and then a full career with the Army Reserve. Major Kelly was honorably discharged from Army Reserve in 1980. He enjoyed music, primarily “Big Band” and Frank Sinatra, New York, New York being a favorite. He also enjoyed the Washington Redskins, attending home games at RFK Stadium with tail gate parties in Parking Lot 8.
He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus (Edward Douglas White Council, Arlington VA and Holy Cross Council, Vero Beach). Mostly he enjoyed time with Carolyn and his family. He had a very quick wit and enjoyed stories and jokes from time to time. Kelly often stated that 1 plus 1 does not equal 2.
A viewing with family and friends will be held at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home 1950 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 from 6 to 8 p.m, Monday evening Dec.14. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday Dec. 15, 2015 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach at 10 a.m. The family will receive friends at the Del Mar club house following the Mass at 5400 North A1A, Vero Beach.