WORCESTER-Mark T. Kelley, Jr., 94, formerly of the Briarwood Assisted Living Community died peacefully Tuesday, February 6th in the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. His wife, Olga A. (Bobik) Kelley died in 2000. He is survived by 5 sons, Mark T. Kelley, Jr. of Waltham, ME, Francis W. Kelley of Lunenburg, Robert E. Kelley of Worcester, Paul D. Kelley of Rutland and Stephen R. Kelley of Holden; 3 daughters, Sharon C. Brehio of Brookfield, Sheila A. Prince of Shrewsbury and Susan J. Getchell of Tracy, CA; 21 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his daughter, Maureen E. Johnston who died in 2004, a brother and 2 sisters.
He was born in Boston, the son of Mark T. Kelley, Sr. and Eliza (Howes) Kelley. Mr. Kelley was a 1930 graduate of Maynard High School and was captain of its football team. He attended the Massachusetts College of Art. Mr. Kelley began his career in the woolen industry sweeping floors and rose to become superintendent of the American Woolen Company in Maynard, which at the time was the largest woolen mill in the world. He retired at the age of 77. Mr. Kelley had been a member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church since moving to Worcester in 1955. He loved Walden Pond, Mt. Wachusett and Scituate, MA. Mr. Kelley was an avid fan of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and spent many days in Lexington and Concord and the battlefields in Virginia. He was an accomplished oil painter and writer.
The funeral is Friday, February 9th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales Street. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Lancaster. Calling hours are Thursday, February 8th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VNA Care Network, Coes Pond Hospice, 120 Thomas Street, Worcester, MA 01608.