The Last Of My Grandfather's Brothers

Today I will gather with the rest of my mother's family and say goodbye to my Uncle Tim. He passed nearly two months ago. I am not entirely sure why there was this delay, but no matter.

He was the last of the Kelleys.

Timothy D. Kelley

Timothy D. Kelley, 89, of Nashua, died February 2, 2009 at the Courville of Nashua following a brief illness.

He was born in Charlestown, MA on January 29, 1920, son of the late Michael & Mary (Doherty) Kelley. He grew up in Charlestown, graduated from Charlestown High School and lived there until he was in his 30’s, enjoying many good times with his seven brothers and a sister. Tim was married on April 5, 1957 to Madeline B. Baker and the couple moved to Somerville, MA where they lived for many years, until moving to Hudson NH in 1993. Mr. Kelley was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Madeline B. Kelley, who died on April 20, 2007. In addition to his beloved wife, Madeline, he was predeceased by his seven brothers and his sister.

As a young adult, Tim worked as a draftsman before joining the military. He was a WWII veteran of the United States Air Force and served as a Staff Sergeant in the Air Corp. At one point in WWII, six of the eight Kelley brothers, including Tim, were all actively serving in the military. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Tim joined the Boston Police Force and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He enjoyed police work, was a good cop and had many friends both on and off the police force. Tim retired from the police force in 1981 after serving 27 years for the City of Boston. He was also a longtime member of the Boston Police Union and the VFW.

While living in Charlestown, MA he was a communicant of St. Francis de Sales. After moving to Hudson he was a communicant of St. John’s the Evangelist, attending services for many years. In his retirement, Tim loved walking for exercise especially with his little dog “Lady”, crossword puzzles, singing and Bing Crosby records. He was also a talented artist in his later years and enjoyed working in oil, acrylic, charcoal and pastel media, producing many beautiful pieces of artwork.

Mr. Kelley’s family includes his children, Theresa A. Kelley and her husband L. Mark Pilant of Litchfield, Stanley R. Murphy and his wife Vicki Maxant of Harvard, MA and Richard T. Murphy of Southbridge, MA; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

SERVICES: A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint John the Evangelist Church, 23 Library Street, Hudson, NH 03051 on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. Private Interment prayers and burial were held at Woodlawn Cemetery on February 14, 2009.

The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME in Nashua is in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com.