John R. Kelly

John R. Kelly, 80, of Bethlehem, PA passed away peacefully on Tuesday January 15, 2013 at St. Luke's Hospital Anderson Campus surrounded by family. John (Jack) was born on September 18, 1932 in Chest Springs, PA., son of the late Joseph Russell and Marie Eleanor (Schenk) Kelly. He was the husband of Mary Ellen (Boland) Kelly. They celebrated 57 years of marriage on June 11, 2012.

Mr. Kelly was a graduate of Cresson High School, Cresson PA, 1950, and a Rensselaer Science & Math Honors Awardee. He proudly served from 1952 through 1954 in The United States Army in the Korean Conflict where he was twice awarded Commendation Letters for Meritorious Service, received a Commendation Ribbon with Medal for Meritorious Service, nominated for a Bronze Star and achieved the rank of Sergeant during his time in service. Upon his return from Korea, Mr. Kelly attended The Pennsylvania State University where he earned numerous academic honors, including the Scholastic Honors Scholarship Award and the Senatorial Scholastic Scholarship Award, while earning a BS Electrical Engineering degree in 1959. He then attended New York University, NY where he earned a MS Electrical Engineering degree in 1962 and went on to earn an Advanced Communication degree.

Mr. Kelly's professional career began with Bell Laboratories and continued with AT&T, from where after 30 years of recognized service, he retired as a Director-Administration and Management Support, AT&T Headquarters, Basking Ridge NJ. Mr. Kelly went on to found and operate Kel Tech Associates Construction Management Firm. Kel Tech niche-managed many non-profit construction projects throughout northern New Jersey of which he was most proud of the service he was able to provide to the Paterson Catholic Diocese, and his lasting legacy through the Church projects Kel Tech built and managed which include St. Luke, Long Valley, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Flanders and a major Church renovation for St. Nicholas, Passaic.

Service mission was very important to Mr. Kelly. He sat on numerous boards including founding President Middletown Helps Its Own, Inc, Middletown NJ, Middletown Township Committee and Community Affairs Council and Jaycees (1960's and 1970's), St. Mary Parish New Monmouth NJ Parish Council and CCD Director, Trenton Diocese Religious Education Executive Committee and Diocese Catholic Education Planning Committee Trenton NJ (1960's and 1970's), St. Luke Parish Advisory Board Long Valley NJ (1980's), East Allen Township Northampton PA Zoning Board (2000's), and multiple Pro-Life Organizations throughout his life both in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Kelly will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Mary Ellen, son, John R. Kelly Jr., daughters, Marie S. (Don) Zaikowski, Monica A. (Dan) Ivory, Maureen P. (Walt) Conrad, Mary J. (Chuck) Rieg, Jeanne L. (Phil) Ivory, Jolene R. (Steve) Battitori, Joyce M. (Steve) Tulenko, brother, Gerald C. (Isabel) Kelly, sisters, Rita "Peg" Andres, Mary Lois (Bob) Gibbons, Stella "Sally" (Robert) Little, Elayne (Jack) Rieg, Constance "Connie" (Stan) Efferding, brother in law, Gerald (Judy) Boland, sister in law Rose Boland, 30 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by sisters, Mary Janet Kelly and Rose Marie Link.

Viewing hours will be held from 5-8pm on Friday January 18, 2013 at the Connell Funeral Home 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A Requiem Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be offered at 10am Saturday January 19, 2013 at St. Stephens of Hungary Catholic Church 510 Union St. Allentown, PA 18101.

Memorial contributions may be made to Camelot For Children, A charitable organization which benefits children with serious, chronic and terminal illness and disabilities, 2354 W. Emmaus Avenue, Allentown PA 18103 and/or PA for Human Life Wyoming Valley Chapter, 31 Hanover Street, Wilkes Barre PA 18702.

Cemetery
Holy Saviour Cemetery
2575 Linden St.
Bethlehem PA 18017
US

Visitation
Friday, January 18, 2013
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Connell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Requiem Mass in the Extraordinary Form
Saturday, January 19, 2013
10:00 AM
St. Stephens of Hungary Catholic Church
510 Union St.
Allentown PA 18101
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531