Thomas E. Kelley, 85, passed peacefully on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford after a period of declining health. He was the loving and devoted husband of the late Mary J. Kelley to whom he was married for 58 years.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth (Sullivan) Kelley and the brother of the late John Kelley. Tom graduated from Holy Family High School in 1941. He volunteered for the U.S. Army during the Second World War. He served in England, France, Germany and Central Europe from 1944 to 1946 and received a European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon as well as several other decorations and citations.
Following the war, Tom attended Bryant College, where he graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. He went to work for the Welfare Department as a social worker and later became Assistant Director of the New Bedford welfare office until his retirement. Tom was an active communicant of St. Lawrence, Martyr Church. He is survived by his daughter Anne Kelley-Jennett, son-in-law Jonathan Jennett and beloved granddaughter Jillian Jennett.
Tom was known for his sense of humor and kind nature. He was loved and will be dearly missed by many.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford Friday, August 6th at 10 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church at 11 AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday, August 5th from 4-8 PM.