Patrick J. Kelly

Obituary

Patrick Joseph Kelly, aged 77 of The Villages, Florida passed away peacefully in his wife’s arms on October 11, 2024. He was born in the Bronx, NY to Eugene and Agnes Kelly on December 13, 1946.

Pat was a selfless, kind and generous person who lived in the service of others. Nothing made him happier than to make people smile. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, coach, firefighter and teacher. His greatest joy was his family, who he loved immeasurably and unconditionally, accepting us all for who we are. He was an amazing father and role model to his 5 children – Jenine, Jackie, Bill, Allison and Chris – spent years coaching his children’s teams and never missed a game, meet, concert or event. He was a caring, goofy and devoted Da to his 11 grandchildren – Tyler, Brian, Thomas, Andrew, Maggie, Julia, Danny, Jake, Graeme, Maddie, Avery and Luna and 3 great-grandchildren – Cameron, Julian and Hazel.

Pat grew up in Bayside, NY the oldest of 6 children – Peggy, Kathy, Anne, Maureen and Michael – and graduated from Holy Cross High School. He attended Baruch College and entered the Marine Reserves at Parris Island. He joined the NYC police department and shortly after became a NYC Firefighter, where he proudly served for 20 years; Engine 42 in the South Bronx and Ladder 144 in Whitestone, Queens. During his time as a Firefighter in the Bronx he received several Certificates of Merit for bravery and earned his Chauffeur License to drive the fire truck. Pat’s firehouse family was a close group with which he enjoyed working and kept in touch.

Pat married his high school sweetheart, Eileen Fenchak, when he was 21. They bought a house in Whitestone, had 3 children and were married for 14 years. After Eileen tragically passed away, Pat met a very special person who would pull together and heal their broken families, bringing him great happiness for the next 41 years. He married Margaret Parker-Harris in 1983 and they became a family of 7. When Pat retired from the firehouse, the family moved to New Milford, CT where they lived for 8 years. While there Pat graduated from Western Connecticut State University with his Bachelor’s in Education.

Empty nesters, Pat and Peggy decided they wanted warmer weather and headed to Cary, NC where they lived for 15 years. Pat landed a teaching job at Reedy Creek Middle School and became a Special Education Teacher, a job he excelled in and thoroughly enjoyed.

Pat and Peggy retired to The Villages, FL in 2012. There they met wonderful friends who became family and enjoyed dancing in the squares, bowling, golf, softball, concerts, lunch with the guys/girls and driveway parties where Pat and Peggy brought their much requested sausages and dirty water franks. They were active members of several clubs including the Democrats, Brooklyn, New York State, Irish, Borscht Belt and NYC Firefighters (343 Club). They loved to travel. Some of their most memorable trips were to the British Isles, Normandy, Italy and Alaska. Pat was an avid Red Sox fan, loved watching football, baseball, golf and MSNBC, eating ice cream, and in his earlier years, driving his cherished 1974 Nova.

Pat has been such a positive and supportive influence on so many lives. He was a kind, generous, quietly funny man who would drop everything to help someone in need. His silly jokes will be remembered and retold: “Does your face hurt? Because it’s killing me!” The world is a better place for having him in it. We love him so much and will miss him every day.

A mass will take place on Saturday December 14th at 10AM at St Vincent’s followed by a celebration of Pat’s life at 1pm at the Bradenton Recreation Center.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Tunnel to Towers Foundation