Laconia-----Harold “Kell” Austin Kelleher, CSM (ret.), 85, a resident of Ledgeview at Taylor Community died on Monday, February 15, 2016 following a long period of failing health, with his wife and daughter by his side.
Kell was born in Portsmouth, NH on April 19, 1930. He attended local schools before enlisting in the army at the age of eighteen. He spent twenty one plus years in the army before retiring at Ft. Lee, VA as Command Sgt. Major. He served on Okinawa, Korea from 1950-1951, Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, Fitzsimons Army Hospital Denver, CO where he earned his LPN license. He was transferred to DeWitt Army Hospital at Ft. Belvoir, VA. He was reassigned to Korea 1958-1959, assigned to Ft.Belvoir , VA 1959-1965, assigned to Germany 1965-1967, his last assignment was to Ft. Lee, VA 1967-1969 where he retired. He was awarded the combat medical badge, Bronze Star with V Device, good conduct medal (7 awards) Korean Service with 5 Battle Stars, Army commendation medal two times, National Defense Medal, American Presidential Unit Citation twice, Korean War Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Korean United Nations medal. He married his beloved wife of 64 years Theresa (Levasseur) Kelleher in 1952. Kell passed away the day before their 64th wedding anniversary.
Kell could not stay idle after he retired from the army. He applied to the Laconia State School, a school for developmentally disabled. He was assistant Clinical Director for operations and management. He truly cared very deeply for all the residents at the school. Upon the closing of Laconia State School in 1991 he retired from state service. He worked part time for Lakes Region Community Services in Quality Assurance, also as Property Manager, as well as the Greater Laconia Transit Agency when they started their transportation service. He was a lifetime member of the Laconia Lodge of Elks 876, Board member of New Beginnings, co-chair of United Way and Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was very proud of his being a member of the Second Indianhead Division.
Kell enjoyed fishing with his father-in-law, and his two grandsons, Christian and Nick. He was active in the Lakes Region Kennel club, Streetcar Company, where he enjoyed many roles, especially the role of Captain von Trapp in the sound of music. Kell and his wife traveled to many countries and to most of the United States. Kell enjoyed gardening and was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan.
Kell was a very good husband, father, brother and grandfather and was loved by many. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Lakes Church for over forty one years and was a choir member for all of those years. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang many of the funeral masses at Sacred Heart and St. Joseph Churches.
Kell is survived by his beloved wife, Theresa (Levasseur) Kelleher, of Laconia; a daughter, Mary Pierce and her husband, Arnie of Laconia; two grandsons, Christian Pierce and his wife Jessica Keesee,of Atlanta, GA and Nicholas Pierce and his wife, Courtney, of Boston, MA; great grandsons Xavier Pierce of Atlanta, GA and new baby in March and Parkman and Holden Pierce of Boston, MA; a sister, Mary Leonard of Stratham, NH and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his sisters, Gertrude Blattstein and Carole Ann Hathorn.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday February 21, 2016 from 3:00pm - 6:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH using the Carriage House entrance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 10:30am at St. Andre Bessette Parish- Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave. Laconia NH 03246.
Burial will be held in the family plot at the Calvary Cemetery, Portsmouth, NH at a later date.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to The Taylor Community Sunshine Fund, 435 Union Ave. Laconia NH 03246.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at Ledgeview for the wonderful care "Kell" received.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.