The ABMA has reported on the death of Joe Kelly who passed in the early morning of February 7, 2024, surrounded by family and loved ones at his home in Sterling, Massachusetts. According to the obituary posted in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Kelly was born in 1945 in Philadelphia to Joseph and Alice Kelly, he and his six siblings moved frequently throughout their childhood, eventually settling in central Massachusetts. Kelly graduated from Amherst College in 1967 and he took great pride and pleasure in his time there, during which he studied English literature, played baseball, and developed many lifelong friendships. He remained a steadfast supporter and contributor to the college for decades, organizing many of his class’s annual reunions.
Following his graduation, he earned his M.A.T. from Columbia University and taught English in South Hadley, MA, for a year before moving to Peekskill, NY, to teach at Shrub Oak High. He returned to Massachusetts to join his father at his plastics manufacturing company in Clinton and operated the company, later renamed The Kelly Company, for nearly forty years. He was widely respected and beloved by his employees for his great personal interest in their lives and families. He took tremendous pride in leading a company that provided jobs for so many. He sought no greater purpose than to enable their success and livelihoods. A devoted father, he coached his children’s basketball and baseball games and championed their many artistic endeavors.
Kelly is survived by his loving partner Patti Ingersoll and his three children Elizabeth Kelly of Wilmington, DE, Jean Pitaro (Jimmy) of CT, and James Kelly (Hadley) of Los Angeles, CA. He was a loving grandfather to Chloe and Phebe Heneghan, Sean and Josy Pitaro, and Hendrix Kelly. Joe leaves his sisters, Karen (Muffy) Taggart (Bob) of Needham and Margot Manning (Danny) of Weymouth, and his brothers Peter Kelly (Liz) of Wellesley and George Kelly (Tana) of Buda, TX. He was predeceased by his brothers Chris and Andrew.
Full obituary available from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
