Obituary for Eugene D. Kelley
Eugene D. Kelley of Horsham, PA and Ocean City, NJ passed peacefully into eternal life, at home on March 24th 2020. He was surrounded by his children and the loving spirit of his late wife Rosemary. Eugene was the son of Charles F. Kelley (District Attorney of Philadelphia) and Geraldine T. Kelley. He was born at the Jersey shore in the summer of 1922. Gene was raised in Philadelphia and spent many happy summers at the family home in Ventnor, NJ.
His life is best summed up with the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis – “Semper Fi” – always faithful. Gene was faithful his entire life to God, his family and his country. He lived his life rooted in faith. Saint Joseph was a constant guiding presence in his life. Gene was a member of the 1940 class of Saint Joseph’s Prep High School and the 1943 class of Saint Joseph College/University.
Gene and his wife Rosemary raised their seven children with love and commitment to their Catholic faith. They were members of Saint Joseph Church for more than 65 years. He married his wife Rosemary McConnell in 1952. She was his love, strength and support until her death in 2016. Nothing was more important to him than his family. He and his wife Rosemary were devoted and loving parents to seven children, their spouses and fourteen grandchildren. Eugene was a Certified Public Accountant. He extended his talents and gifts in accounting to help his church and community.
Part of the “Greatest Generation”, Eugene served his country proudly. He was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and a Naval Aviator. He served during WWII and the Korean War.
Gene loved spending time with his wife and family at their home in Ocean City, NJ. After raising their children, Eugene took up flying again. As breakfast was his “most favorite meal”, he would sometimes fly back and forth to Ocean City with a family member to enjoy a nice breakfast!
He also enjoyed watching sports, especially football. Gene was proud to be a member of the St Joseph’s Prep football team when they won the City Championship in 1939.
Eugene was an example to all of exemplary character. He demonstrated humility, integrity, courage, faith, generosity and kindness. He will live on in the hearts of his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and their spouses forever.
Eugene is predeceased by his wife Rosemary, brother Charles, sisters Gerry (Jack) Flynn, Clare Russell and Alycia, brothers-in law Col. William Roos and Hugh McConnell, sisters-in-law Clare Brown and Terri Bythrow.
His loving spirit continues to live in the hearts of his sister Miriam Roos, brother-in-law Bill Brown, his devoted children Danny (Sue), Maureen, Bobby, Kathy (John) Carbone, Roe Bradley, Patti, and Kevin (Judy), and adoring grandchildren Meghan, Katie Clare, John Paul and Emily Kelley, Caitlin (George) Apfelbach, Kelley and Molly Fitzgibbons, Patrick, Emily and Caroline Carbone, Kelley Bradley, Shannon Tobin, Colin and Reilly Kelley, and many fond cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, your prayers are most appreciated. Donations may be made to Saint Joseph’s Prep High School (www.sjprep.org/page.cfm?p=1479) in memory of Eugene D. Kelley class of 1940. Private Catholic services have been held.
His life is best summed up with the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis – “Semper Fi” – always faithful. Gene was faithful his entire life to God, his family and his country. He lived his life rooted in faith. Saint Joseph was a constant guiding presence in his life. Gene was a member of the 1940 class of Saint Joseph’s Prep High School and the 1943 class of Saint Joseph College/University.
Gene and his wife Rosemary raised their seven children with love and commitment to their Catholic faith. They were members of Saint Joseph Church for more than 65 years. He married his wife Rosemary McConnell in 1952. She was his love, strength and support until her death in 2016. Nothing was more important to him than his family. He and his wife Rosemary were devoted and loving parents to seven children, their spouses and fourteen grandchildren. Eugene was a Certified Public Accountant. He extended his talents and gifts in accounting to help his church and community.
Part of the “Greatest Generation”, Eugene served his country proudly. He was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and a Naval Aviator. He served during WWII and the Korean War.
Gene loved spending time with his wife and family at their home in Ocean City, NJ. After raising their children, Eugene took up flying again. As breakfast was his “most favorite meal”, he would sometimes fly back and forth to Ocean City with a family member to enjoy a nice breakfast!
He also enjoyed watching sports, especially football. Gene was proud to be a member of the St Joseph’s Prep football team when they won the City Championship in 1939.
Eugene was an example to all of exemplary character. He demonstrated humility, integrity, courage, faith, generosity and kindness. He will live on in the hearts of his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and their spouses forever.
Eugene is predeceased by his wife Rosemary, brother Charles, sisters Gerry (Jack) Flynn, Clare Russell and Alycia, brothers-in law Col. William Roos and Hugh McConnell, sisters-in-law Clare Brown and Terri Bythrow.
His loving spirit continues to live in the hearts of his sister Miriam Roos, brother-in-law Bill Brown, his devoted children Danny (Sue), Maureen, Bobby, Kathy (John) Carbone, Roe Bradley, Patti, and Kevin (Judy), and adoring grandchildren Meghan, Katie Clare, John Paul and Emily Kelley, Caitlin (George) Apfelbach, Kelley and Molly Fitzgibbons, Patrick, Emily and Caroline Carbone, Kelley Bradley, Shannon Tobin, Colin and Reilly Kelley, and many fond cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, your prayers are most appreciated. Donations may be made to Saint Joseph’s Prep High School (www.sjprep.org/page.cfm?p=1479) in memory of Eugene D. Kelley class of 1940. Private Catholic services have been held.