Robert D. Kelly

Robert D. Kelly, Sr. – A Man of Family and Faith

Robert D. Kelly Sr. entered into Eternal Rest on March 6, 2018 after a long illness.

Born in Queens, NY on July 2, 1931, Bob was raised in Jersey City, where he attended Dickenson High School.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy, serving as a radioman on the aircraft carriers Lake Champlain and Bennington during the Korean War.  After leaving the service, he joined N.J. Bell working as a telephone lineman.  Throughout his career of over 30 years, his achievements led him to become the first Project Manager for the fax machine, revolutionary at the time.

For all of his life, Bob was dedicated to the well-being of his family.  After meeting Elizabeth Haley on the beach in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, they were married on October 3, 1959.  In 1961, they moved to Nutley with their young family.  A dedicated Catholic, Bob was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Bloomfield for over 50 years.  His firm beliefs laid a foundation of faith for each of his four children, for whom he sacrificed in order to provide them with a Catholic education.

Bob was blessed with many years of retirement, allowing him time to pursue his favorite pastime, golf.  Playing up to three times per week, Bob shot two hole-in-one’s during his lifetime.  Bob and his sweetheart “Betty” were snowbirds, moving between New Jersey and Florida every winter.  A warmer climate provided an opportunity for Betty to enjoy the beach and for Bob, the chance to always play a quick round of golf.

Well versed in history, politics and science, Bob was truly a man of many talents; there wasn’t a problem he couldn’t solve, a Sudoku puzzle that stumped him, nor something broken he could not fix. “Pop’s” real passion, were his grandchildren.  They were the center of his life; there was always time for Ralph’s Pizza, a trip to the museum or to go on nature walks.   Pop never missed an awards ceremony, a graduation, nor an athletic event.

Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth (Haley), his daughter Lyn and her husband Bill Corrigan, his son Robert Jr. and his wife Lisa Kelly, his daughter Kathleen and her husband Fred Hoffman and his daughter Noreen and her husband Frank Fitzsimons.  Pop was dearly beloved by his five grandchildren; Mallory and Devin Corrigan and Jack, Meagan and Katie Hoffman.  He was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary; his brothers Frank and Kenneth and his sisters Alice, Bernadette, Rita and Patricia.

Visiting will be held on March 11, 2018 from 2:00pm until 5:00pm at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, located at 582 Springfield Ave, Westfield, NJ.  A funeral Mass will be offered on March 12, 2018 at 10:00am at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, in Bloomfield, NJ, with internment following at Holy Cross Cemetery, located at 340 Ridge Rd, North Arlington, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, donations to either the Community Food Bank of New Jersey (CFBNJ.org) or Center for Hope Hospice (CFHH.org) would be appreciated

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