US Army veteran
MELROSE — Richard C. Kelley who was 97 years of age passed away peacefully at his home on July 11. He was the beloved husband of the late Jacqueline (Fuchs) Kelley and a loving and caring sibling to Louise Fober and brother William Kelley of Melrose.
Richard was born in Lynn to the late Frank and Eleanor (Farley) Kelley. He was raised in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School. After high school, Mr. Kelley enlisted in the US Army and served his country with pride during WWII. Upon honorable discharge from the military, he attended and graduated from the University of Maine Orono. A lifelong resident of Melrose, he and his wife Jacquline were avid golfers and belonged to the Bear Hill Country Club in Stoneham since 1963. Mr. Kelley had an extensive career working for AC Allen House Security Sales, treasurer of Brookside Wool Processing Company and manager and purchasing agent for Walworth Company for 22 years. Richard ended his career as purchasing manager for 22 years at Anderson Power Products in Brighton retiring in 1991.
He is survived by his loving nieces and nephews Gail Katz, Carol Fober, Patricia Parece, Brian Hardway, Richard Hardway, Eileen Paquin, Janet Boyden, Susan Strahan, Sandra Scibelli, Stacey Scibelli-Motz and the late Robert Kelley. He is also survived by many cherished grandnieces and nephews; and great grandnieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m. with a burial with military honors at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org; Tunnels to Towers at t2t.org; or to the Special Olympics at specialolympics.org. To leave an online message of condolence please visit gatelyfh.com.
