Two communities have lost a very special man. Gregory E. Kelly, 69 of Wethersfield and Old Lyme, youngest child of the late Georgiana (Slattery) and Robert I. Kelly, passed away June 10 at the Hospital of Central Connecticut.
Greg was educated at St. Augustine School, graduated in 1966 from Wethersfield High School, and earned his BA from Fairfield University in 1970. He worked for a time in Nashville for John Hancock before returning to Wethersfield to be a manager in the Emissions Department of the Connecticut Motor Vehicles where he remained until his retirement in 2011.
A man of few words Greg, nonetheless, had many interests. Among his favorites were reading, music, most sports-especially golf, and travel. Quite a golfer himself, he was known to sheperd groups of fellow golfers from the Black Hall Club on trips to Ireland and Scotland.
Greg had moved to Old Lyme full time four years ago after winterizing the family summer cottage where he had spent every summer of his life. He loved White Sand Beach and its proximity to Black Hall Golf Club. In Old Lyme he was closest to his biggest passions, his family and friends. He is already missed by us all.
Surviving Greg are his siblings: Joel H. (Barbara) Kelly of Mystic, Sheila K. (Walter) Dean of Tennessee, James M. (Eileen) Kelly of New London, and Mary K. (George) Finley of Old Lyme. He also leaves his nieces and nephews; Joelle and Brian Kelly, Michael and Mark Dean, Connor and Jillian Kelly, and Clark, Meghan, and Patrick Finley. Also surviving are sixteen grand nieces and nephews, a host of cousins, most notably Kathy Zabel, and many friends, especially Dick Frascarelli, and his dearest pal Bob Waz.
The family wishes to express its gratitude to the medical staff and personnel at the Hospital of Central Connecticut for their professional and caring treatment of Greg. He was fortunate to have been in your care during his final weeks.
There are no calling hours. A celebration of life Mass for Greg will be at 11am on Tuesday, June 20 at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme 06371. Burial will be private.
Donations in Greg’s memory may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in honor of Greg Kelly, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, Mass. 02215 or to the White Sand Beach Rec Program, PO Box 813, Old Lyme, CT 06371.