Published in the February 17, 2017 edition
BEDFORD — Joseph Michael Kelley, 98, passed away at the VA Hospital in Bedford on February 10, 2017.
Joe was born in Southie on January 9, 1919 to the late John and Margaret (Connolly) Kelley. As a young child, he overcame polio and never let his disease define him throughout his life. He was raised in South Boston, graduated from South Boston High School and entered the U.S. Navy. Mr. Kelley served his country with pride during World War II, and was the last one off his ship when it sank off the coast of Germany. He was awarded several medals for bravery.
Joe joined the Melrose Fire Department in 1948 and retired as a captain in 1980. Joseph was an Irish gentleman, who never had a curse word for anyone always put his family and his job first in his life. He moved to Melrose in 1946 after his discharge from the U.S. Navy in Brooklyn, New York and built a home on Bay State Road in Melrose in 1951. On his off hours from the fire station, Joseph worked at a welding company; delivered for a bakery company; and delivered flowers for Casey Florist in Melrose. His Catholic faith was paramount in his life and after his retirement, he attended daily Mass for 30 years. He was a longtime member of Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Wakefield, where he served as a senior acolyte at funeral Masses for many years.
Mr. Kelley was the beloved husband of 63 years to the late Mary Margaret (Cronin) Kelley. He was the loving father of Kathleen St. Germain of Reading; Marilyn Burt of Whitefield, New Hampshire; and Irene Kelley of Melrose. He was the cherished grandfather of Kerry Trippi and her husband Frank of Southborough; Jennifer Burt and Katherine Burt, both of Worcester; Michael Burt of Nashua, New Hampshire and Matthew Burt of Whitefield, New Hampshire. He was the proud great grandfather of Leonardo Trippi and Hadley Burt. He was the caring brother of Sr. Marie John Kelley SCN of Nazareth, Kentucky. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St. on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. His funeral from the Gately Funeral Home took place on Thursday, February 16, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield. Interment with military honors took place at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Memorial contributions may be made in Joseph’s name to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield, MA 01880 or to the Melrose Veteran’s Fund, 562 Main St. Melrose, MA 02176. For obituary, directions or to send a message of condolence, please visit www.gatelyfh.com.
