Four Grand Boys
1917-2017
My uncle just died. He is the last of the four grand boys as my grandfather referred to them. In his eyes, they could do no wrong. The four brothers were best of friends. Uncle Larry died first. He died before I was born. He was 32 and had cancer and a child on the way. My father could never talk about Larry without filling up with sadness. Uncle John died suddenly in 1976. He dropped dead with a brain aneurysm at the age of 57. His death was suckling. My father died next at the age of 76. He too dropped dead from a pulmonary aneurysm. His death was not shocking to me because I saw his deteriorate over a few months time. But it was shocking to my cousins.
Uncle Tom turned 90 last September and we had a big celebration for him. He was lucid, happy, alert and humbled by all of this goodwill towards him. Sometime in the winter, he was diagnosed with cancer. fortunately, he didn't suffer for long. But his death is more than the lose of one person. It is an end of an era and that loss seems surreal to me. Where did these four grand boys go?
FACEBOOK RESPONSES:
- Thank you all for remembering my birthday. It's a bittersweet day because our father, the beloved PopPop, passed away shortly after midnight. Soon he will be buried in the below garden next to our mom and my daughter Caitlin. We were so fortunate to have such wonderful and loving parents. They are finally together once again. (from my cousin)
- I'll bet they were all waiting for him, Tom -- Peggy, John, Jane, Jimmy, Jackie, Larry and Caitlin. So very sorry to see the end of that wonderful era...lots of laughter and brilliant craic!! May their souls rest in well-deserved peace! xo (from another cousin's former wife)
- Uncle Tom was so wonderful. He was always smiling and happy and funny....so funny. I loved him, as I did your Mom. I'm so glad your Mom, Dad and Caitlin are all together in heaven with my darling Larry and all the others we have loved and lost. Love to you. (from my cousin, Larry, wife.)
- The world was a better place for the last 100 years because of "4 Grand Boys." Beginning with the birth of my father, John, in 1917, Uncle Larry, Uncle Tom, and Uncle Jim, all of us were fortunate enough to know these men spanning a century until Uncle Tom's death today. Although none of them will be written about in history books, their wit and wisdom would fill volumes. Their contributions to society , although simple and close to home, crossed continents and affected hundreds of thousands of people. They were our first teachers of love of God, family, and country. We were the beneficiaries of their wit, wisdom, love and compassion. The 4 Grand Boys were a blessing to us all and I for one know that my life was better because of all of them! Rest In Peace Uncle Tom.
- It is with great sadness that the Coral Seas announces the passing of Thomas Kelly. Tom started the Coral Seas back in 1966 with his business partners, and the business has stayed in the family ever since. We were lucky enough to celebrate his 90th birthday last year here, and had the whole place filled with Kelly's for one last reunion. Rest In Peace Tom; the Coral Seas will always honor your memory and the foundation you laid out for us. (from my cousin).
Obituary for Thomas Kelly
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father and husband, Tom Kelly, who was called home after a brief but brave battle with cancer, and a long and fruitful life. He lived in Beach Haven, NJ, and Roseland, Florida on the Sebastian River.
Tom Kelly was born in Philadelphia to Dr. Lawrence and Ethel Kelly on September 4, 1926. He was the last surviving brother of “four grand boys,” John, Lawrence, and the Honorable James M. Kelly. He was also predeceased by his devoted wife Peggy in 1991, his grand daughter Caitlin Kelly(2006) his son in law Marvin Moore (2010), and his daughter in law Joy Kelly(2015).
He is survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth O’Brien, his six children; Thomas Jr.(Colleen), Patrick, Denise Moore, Maureen O’Boyle(Sean), Lisa Madzin (John), and Sean (Judy), along with twelve surviving grand children and one great grand daughter.
Tom was a WWII Navy veteran, an ensign who served on the USS Des Moines, and a former Merchant Marine who was fiercely proud of his country. His conservative political views were well known to all, and they never wavered.
Tom was an entrepreneur in insurance and real estate. He owned and operated several businesses on Long Beach Island including the Spray Beach Motor Inn, the Bayview Manor, and the Coral Seas Motel. He was past president of the Rotary Club of LBI.
A life long resident of the area who loved to fish and clam, Tom was almost born in West Creek where his parents had a summer home for many years. His mother Ethel loved the shore so much she refused to go back to Philadelphia until the end of summer against the pleas of her husband, Doc. On Labor Day Weekend of 1926, Ethel finally boarded the bus that meandered its way through the Pine Barrens back to Philadelphia where she gave birth shortly after at home to another healthy baby boy, Tom. Dad spent so much of his summer time as a youth floating around in Little Egg Harbor Bay surviving on nothing but clams, as an adult he could no longer stand to eat them raw.
Our father was a self made man. His charm, witticisms, and sage advice will not be forgotten. Donations can be made to Boys Town, 200 Flanagan Blvd., Boys Town, NE 68010. A memorial service will be held at a future date.
Tom Kelly was born in Philadelphia to Dr. Lawrence and Ethel Kelly on September 4, 1926. He was the last surviving brother of “four grand boys,” John, Lawrence, and the Honorable James M. Kelly. He was also predeceased by his devoted wife Peggy in 1991, his grand daughter Caitlin Kelly(2006) his son in law Marvin Moore (2010), and his daughter in law Joy Kelly(2015).
He is survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth O’Brien, his six children; Thomas Jr.(Colleen), Patrick, Denise Moore, Maureen O’Boyle(Sean), Lisa Madzin (John), and Sean (Judy), along with twelve surviving grand children and one great grand daughter.
Tom was a WWII Navy veteran, an ensign who served on the USS Des Moines, and a former Merchant Marine who was fiercely proud of his country. His conservative political views were well known to all, and they never wavered.
Tom was an entrepreneur in insurance and real estate. He owned and operated several businesses on Long Beach Island including the Spray Beach Motor Inn, the Bayview Manor, and the Coral Seas Motel. He was past president of the Rotary Club of LBI.
A life long resident of the area who loved to fish and clam, Tom was almost born in West Creek where his parents had a summer home for many years. His mother Ethel loved the shore so much she refused to go back to Philadelphia until the end of summer against the pleas of her husband, Doc. On Labor Day Weekend of 1926, Ethel finally boarded the bus that meandered its way through the Pine Barrens back to Philadelphia where she gave birth shortly after at home to another healthy baby boy, Tom. Dad spent so much of his summer time as a youth floating around in Little Egg Harbor Bay surviving on nothing but clams, as an adult he could no longer stand to eat them raw.
Our father was a self made man. His charm, witticisms, and sage advice will not be forgotten. Donations can be made to Boys Town, 200 Flanagan Blvd., Boys Town, NE 68010. A memorial service will be held at a future date.
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