Paul M. Kelley, Jr., 76, of Mattapoisett passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Lesley J. (Sackman) Kelley. In addition to residing in Mattapoisett, Paul and Lesley enjoyed spending time during the winter at their home in Vero Beach, Florida.
Paul was born on June 8, 1935 the son of Paul M. Kelley, Sr. and Lois Nickerson Kelley of Fall River. He grew up in Westport and attended New Bedford Vocational High School where he graduated in 1955. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.
Paul was a member of the Teamsters Union for 48 years as a salesman with Table Talk Pies (Local 684) and Thomas’ English Muffins (Local 670).
One of Paul’s passions and love was for the Brotherhood of Firefighters. He served as a firefighter for over 51 years starting as a teenager on the Westport Fire Department and then for the past 50+ years with the Mattapoisett Fire Department. During that time he served as the Captain of Engine 1 for 16 years and as the Fire Alarm Superintendent for 30 years. Paul also was an appointed member of the Mattapoisett Council of Aging from 1976 - 1981, and later continued with the Council as a van driver.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Mark Kelley and his husband Ed Lundgren of Boston, Thomas Kelley of Boston, and Michael Kelley of Virginia, and his brother, Jay Kelley of Somerset. He also loved his extended family, Donna MacDougall, her husband Chris, and Jonathan and Hannah of Marion, Katherine Linhares and her husband Edgerton Coble, and Alicia and Lilly of Melrose and Donald Linhares, Jr. and his wife Catherine, and Miles and Gretchen of South Dartmouth.
He was the former husband of the late Shirley Carter and brother of the late Robert Kelley.
His Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Church on Friday at 11 AM. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to be made to the Mattapoisett Fire Department, P.O. Box 362, Mattapoisett, MA 02739, checks made payable to the Rescue Association; or Community Nurse & Hospice Care, P.O. Box 751, Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.