MANCHESTER, Conn. – John D. Kelley, 90, formerly of South Portland, beloved husband of Mary (Tweedie) Kelley, passed away Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. He was born July 20, 1921, in South Portland, son of the late George F. and Katherine M. Kelley.
He was raised and educated in South Portland and graduated with the class of 1943 from the University of Maine, Orono. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the Cannon Company of the 134th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Division. During his time in the service he participated in the invasion of Normandy, going ashore at Omaha Beach, continuing on through St. Lo Mountain, Battle of the Bulge and ending at Elbe River. He was awarded five Battle Stars, the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. Upon his discharge from the service he went home to Maine for a short time before moving to Connecticut in 1946. John went to work for the state of Connecticut Department of Labor and retired in 1986 as a counselor after 28 years of service. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2046, Manchester, Conn.; American Legion Post No. 14, Rockville, Conn.; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17, Manchester, Conn.; The Manchester Army & Navy Club; and The Irish American Home Society, Glastonbury, Conn.
In addition to his loving wife of 59 years, he leaves his brother-in-law, Ernest Tweedie and his wife, Ruby, of Thorndike; special nephew, Skip Kelley of Deerfield, N.H.; several other nieces and nephews; his loving adopted daughter, Mary Moriarty and her husband, Dennis, of Falmouth, Mass., formerly of Hebron, Conn.; his grandson, Christopher Moriarty and his fiancee, Alexis Alloway, of Everett, Wash.; and his granddaughter, Erin Colleen Moriarty of Seattle. John was predeceased by four brothers, Eric, Donald, Gordon and George.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester, Conn. Burial with military honors will take place in the Veteran’s Section of East Cemetery. Calling hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan Shelter of Manchester, 466 Main St., P.O. Box 773, Manchester, CT 06040. To sign the online register book, go to
www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com.