TEWKSBURY: Robert F. Jelley, age 82, a Tewksbury resident for 39 years, passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington.
He was the beloved husband of Barbara M. (Welsh) Jelley, who passed away on July 22, 2007.
Born in Boston on September 19, 1927, he was the son of the late George A. and Catherine (McKay) Jelley.
Mr. Jelley was raised in the Allston area of Boston and attended Allston schools.
In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War with the Second Infantry Division, Ninth Infantry Regiment , Company C.
He was awarded several decorations including the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Following his honorable discharge from active duty, he was employed as a manager by the Polaroid Corporation in Cambridge and Norwood, where he worked for over forty years.
Mr. Jelley was a life-member and past commander of the Allston V.F.W. Post # 669, a life-member of the Greater Lowell Korean War Veterans Association, a life-member of the Tewksbury D.A.V. Post # 110, and a member of the Tewksbury American Legion Post # 0259.
He enjoyed many activities including fishing, cooking and spending time with his children and grandchildren especially during the holiday season.
In addition, he was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics.
He is survived by two sons, David Jelley and his wife Michelle (Liberti) and Robert P. Jelley and his wife Michelle (Sughrue) all of Tewksbury; two daughters, Nancy Donahue and her husband Brian of Tewksbury and Barbara Ann Nordstrom and her husband Walter"Butch" Nordstrom of Dracut; three grandchildren, Rebecca M., David "DJ" Jelley, Jr. and Amanda L. Jelley all of Tewksbury; two sisters, Dorothy Stevenson and her husband Clay of Allston and Elizabeth Bishop of Burlington; also many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Jelley was the brother of the late Edward, Walter, and John Jelley, Helen Gorvett, Margret Clouther, Evelyn Beaulieu, Mary Blunt, Catherine Dyer, Grace Barbuto and Ruth Searles.
Calling hours will be held Monday, Nov. 2, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at
10 a.m. at St. William's Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment to follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.