John J. Kelley, 80 of Mystic passed away at his daughters home on Sunday , Aug. 21, 2011.
Born on Dec. 24, 1930 in Norwich to the late John J. Kelley Sr. and Genevieve (Bellefleur) Kelley. He was married to the late Jacintiha C. (Braga) Kelley for 50 years.
John is a former graduate of Bulkeley School, received his bachelor’s degree from Boston University and continued on to receive his master’s degree at The University of Connecticut.
While in high school he was the top school boy miler in the nation. John was a two time Olympian. In 1959 he won the pan american games marathon. He was the U.S. National Champion eight straight years from 1956 to 1963. In 1957, he won the Boston marathon and placed second five times. He ran the Boston Marthon 32 times in total. He was inducted into the National Long Distance Runners Hall of Fame in 2002, in Utica, N.Y.
He is survived by his three daughters, Julia Washington and husband, Bing, of Mystic , Kathleen Gabriel and Ben Thomas of Pawcatuck and Eileen Edwards and husband, Scott, of North Stonington; eight grand children; and one great-grand son. John is survived by his brother, Robert Kelley of East Lyme; sister, Ellen Knowles of Quaker Hill; and several nieces and nephews. John is predeceased by his best friend and neighbor of 50 years, Daniel Strunk.
A service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011 at The Union Baptist Church, in Mystic. Burial will be private. At the families request there are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich , CT 06360.
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