Francis J. Kelly

Waltham – When Fran Kelly drew his last breath on the evening of June 24th, 2015 at his Waltham home he knew at least two things . . . he was saying good-bye to his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids who simply adored him [and the feeling was mutual] . . . and he was saying hello to his beloved wife, Eleanor, and his cherished daughter, Maura, whose photos he greeted with a kiss and a prayer every morning and every evening for twenty years.

After a life's journey of more than ninety-two years he was ready to claim the promise of Saint Paul that "What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him".

For those that knew him, Fran was a man possessed of a deep and abiding faith whose love for his family, his faith and his community knew no limits. Humility and kindness were abiding companions.

Francis J. Kelly was born in Newtonville on January 22, 1923, a son of Irish immigrant parents, Patrick and Mary (Corcoran) Kelly. After graduating from Newton High School in 1940 he went to work for the Raytheon Company in Waltham where he met his future bride, Waltham native Eleanor E. Hayes. The pair married during the war when Fran was serving as a sergeant with a unit of United States Army combat engineers, first in Europe and after that campaign was won, in the Pacific where he participated in the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines.

Following his discharge from the service in early 1946 Fran and Eleanor made their home in Waltham where they raised their family. In 1950 they bought a home in a brand new parish, Saint Jude's, where they turned their faith into action and became active in church and school activities their entire lives.

Fran was a member and past president of the Holy Name Society and he and Eleanor were inaugural members of the Couples Club. He was a lector and an usher and always a willing volunteer.

Trained as an engineer at Louisiana State University during the war Fran went to work for Standard Duplicating in Everett where he retired as national sales manager following a forty-three year career with the company. After that he worked part-time for more than twenty years in the pro shop at Pine Meadows Golf Club in Lexington where he also indulged his passion for the sport. He also loved 'his' Red Sox and Patriots and delighted with all of New England when both teams became champions.

It was his love and devotion to his family however that were the hallmarks of his life. He was able to nurture and to nourish and to appreciate the simple gifts of entertaining at home, caring for his impeccably kept yard and keeping fit by walking for miles every day until recently. He was proud to have been able to visit all fifty states, most recently North Dakota, where his tall handsome physique caused one of his sons to introduce him to visitors at the state house as a former governor. And with a twinkle in his eye and his Irish wit Fran was more than willing to go along.

Fran's beloved wife of fifty-one years, Eleanor, died in January, 1995 and a year and a half later, their daughter, Maura, who had been Saint Jude's first grade teacher for twenty-two years died suddenly.

He leaves his children, Eleanore E. 'Mikie' Cook and her husband, Jim, of Agawam, Francis J. Kelly, Jr. and his wife, Eileen, of Nashua, New Hampshire, Edmund P. Kelly and his wife, Ellen, of Lee, William G. Kelly of North Attleboro, John B. Kelly and his wife, Denise, of Exeter, New Hampshire and Michael J. Kelly and his wife, Lisa, of Normal, Illinois; his brother and sister, Paul Kelly and his wife, Rita, of Waltham and Marie Kelly of Newtonville; his sister and brother-in-law, Mary (Hayes) Langton of Cotuit and Jack O'Rourke of Waltham; sixteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Fran was also a brother of the late John Kelly, Thomas Kelly and Dorothy O'Rourke.

Family and friends will honor and remember Fran's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, July 1st, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Jude School, 175 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02453.

Requiescat in Pace.