James H. Kelly

Mr. James H. Kelly, of Waltham, died Monday, June 13, 2011 in his daughter’s home in Tewksbury. He was 80.

Jim was born on May 31, 1931 in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston a son of the late Thomas J. and Rose Ellen (Byrne) Kelly and graduated from Brighton High School and later moved to Waltham in 1960.

He worked as an inventory controller for D.C. Heath Publishing Company in Lexington for over 20 years before retiring in 1994. Previously, he had worked at Hostess Corporation in Natick.

An early advocate for those with disabilities and challenges, he was active at the Fernald Center in Waltham where he served on its Board of Directors. Jim was also a longtime friend of Bill W. and was a loyal Red Sox fan.

He is predeceased by his wife, Lorraine T. (Silva) Kelly, his son, Stephen P. Kelly and his siblings, Thomas, Rose, Edward, Ruth, Sally Kelly, Eleanor Rydell, Frances Larkin and Harriet Martin.

He leaves his children, Michael J. Kelly and his wife, Brenda, of Franklin, Eileen R. Kelly of Chelmsford, Thomas J. Kelly and his fiancé, Kris Curran, of Maynard, Mary E. Kelly-Ciancetta and her husband, Mark, of Tewksbury and the late Stephen P. Kelly; his sisters, Olive Stone of Dennis and Jean Foley of West Roxbury; also survived by his grandchildren, Stephen, Christine and Brian Kelly, Sara and Thomas Dennehy, and Joseph Westerman, and his great-grandchildren Aidan and James S. Kelly.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jim’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, where his Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 am. Burial will follow in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline.

Memorial donations may be made to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, IRSF, P.O. Box 706143, Cincinnati, OH 45270-6143.