Marcus Charles Kelly, 84, a life long resident of Malden, passed away peacefully on December 28th, 2007. He was the youngest of four sons of the late Mark P. and Margaret Sullivan Kelly. He has been a faithful parishioner at Immaculate Conception Parish in Malden and was educated in the parish schools. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy, 92nd Seabees Division. He served in the South Pacific, New Guinea, the Philippines and Australia. Charlie retired from the City of Malden Department of Public Works where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for several years. He was involved in many clubs and associations over the years including being past president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 12 in Malden; Vice President of the City of Malden DPW Employees Union; a member of the Malden Democratic City Committee and a delegate of the State Democratic Conventions; a member of the St. Gabriel Retreat League; a corporator of Hallmark Health Hospitals; a member of the Boston Beara Society; a member of the American Legion Post 69 in Malden ; a member of the VFW Post in Malden and he was also a “Golden Eagle” at the Eagles Club in Malden. Marcus “Charlie” and his wife Mary Sullivan Kelly enjoyed traveling having visited the Northeast USA and Canada by automobile and visited the balance of the Continental Unites States by train. In addition, they visited Ireland each year, with occasional side trips to England and Scotland. In July of 2007, they had completed two dozen overseas trips. They were often accompanied by a niece or nephew serving as a driver and were able to visit all 32 counties in Ireland visiting family members and friends. Charlie’s father was a native of County Galway. He enjoyed visiting his father’s family homestead and was able to see the house completely restored. His maternal grandmother and Mary’s Parents were from County Cork. In August of 2006, they joined the Spencer family reunion (Mary’s mother’s family) in Castletownbere, County Cork. He loved his Irish heritage and enjoyed dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Ireland. In June of 2007 he met Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness in Belfast on a visit to Stormont. Charlie was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan, rejoicing in their success. He had many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnieces and great grandnephews. He doted on them, regaling them with his jokes and witticisms. He was predeceased by his brothers; comedian Wiliam C. "Billy" Kelley and his wife Lee; late retired State Police Major John Kelly and Francis Kelly. In addition to his wife Mary Sullivan Kelly, he is survived by his sisters-in-law Agnes Flannery Kelly of Taunton and Catherine Sullivan Hart of Arlington; his nieces and nephews including Wiliam C. Kelley Jr. and his wife Nancy of Falmouth and FL; Atty. Mary Kelly Vasile and her husband Atty. James Vasile of Virginia; Dr. Joan Kelly of CT; Richard Hart and his wife Dr. Ying Hart of Stoneham; Darlene Hart Allen and her husband George of CA; Deidre Hart Butts, RN of Marlborough; George Hart and his wife Margaret of CA; his grandcnieces and grandnephews including William Kelley and his wife Ellen of RI; John Kelley of CA; Susan Kelley Galvin and her husband Atty. Robert Galvin of Marshfield; Christine Kelley Donnellan and her husband Lt. Col. James Donnellan, USMC of RI; Brendan Hart of Stoneham, Jennifer and Megan Lamattina of Marlborough; Samantha, Nicole and Franklin John Hart of CA; and his great grandnieces and great grandnephews William IV, Ryan and Daniel Kelley of RI, Megan and Shannon Kelly of CA; Joseph and Benjamin Charlie Galvin of Marshfield; Kate, Elizabeth and Mary Donnellan of RI and Joey Lamattina Seranno of Marlborough.
Funeral from the A.J. Breslin & Son Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden at Medford line on Thursday January 3rd at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant St., Malden at 10: 30 AM. Relatives & friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday January 2nd from 2-8 PM. Services on Thursday will conclude with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.
An Appreciation of Marcus Charles Kelly
By Megan Lamattina
It seems that the news of death comes to us in a startled state. One could argue that this is only to be expected, as no one can really prepare for death. It honestly never gets easier, it just becomes more familiar.
December 28th, 2007 marked a solemn loss in the family; a loss of a fun loving, benevolent husband, brother, uncle and friend.
“Uncle Chill”, one of his grandnieces called him. Perhaps his calm and peaceful attitude toward life was best captured through that nickname.
As an avid Boston sports fan, his family will remember his desire for the biggest chair in the living room and full volume on the television during the games.
He told jokes that were wise, witty and memorable. His family will remember his quirkiness and ability to illuminate the room with his comedic remarks; another bold attribute to his originality.
Aside from the laughter he created, he always gave an embrace that cannot be captured through words, but rather felt in his touch. He was a warm individual who always greeted you with a soulful hug that never felt forced. And always, he tipped his hat.
He gave a stitch of joy to a family that had been through so much. Regardless of any sorrows occurring within the family. Charlie’s warm compassion and joke telling always made for a cheerful time on the holidays.
A “loss” seems far too negative to explain Charlie’s passing. Instead, those left in the wake of a truly wonderful man can rejoice in having him once grace their lives, and alleviate their mourning with warm memories and know they will see his shining face again when the time comes.