John J. Kells, Jr.

John J. “JJ” Kells, Jr., 74, of Birch St., died peacefully on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, with his family by his side.
     John was born in Turners Falls, MA on September 6, 1941, the son of John J. and Jennie (Darash) Kells. He attended schools in Greenfield and was a graduate of Greenfield High School, class of 1959. He later attended American International College in Springfield.
     Growing up in the Bingville section of Greenfield, John was always active playing sports. He played baseball, football, ice hockey, skiing, ski jumping, among others. John and his brother Jerry were members of a ski jumping team that competed in the 12 the 16 age group at the ski jump in Bingville. While at GHS, John was a member of the baseball and football teams.
     John was an avid golfer and a life-long member of the Country Club of Greenfield. He was part of a small group of men who started an early morning golf league, often beginning as early as 5 am. This early morning league has grown over the years and John was proud to be one of the first. Many golfers would be happy to score a hole-in-one, in his love for the game John had amassed 9 holes-in-one, a very impressive accomplishment not seen by many at all !  Golf was such an integral part of his life that following the death of his son Stephen in 1986, John started the Stephen Kells Memorial Junior 2 Ball Golf Tournament, a tournament that encourages young golfers to compete in the sport they enjoy.
     Always active, John was a common sight at Mt. Snow where he enjoyed skiing every chance he had, he was a ski instructor for the Bement school teaching young kids how to ski, he was a member of the mens hockey league at Collins Memorial rink, enjoyed walking, and was an avid fan and supporter of GHS athletics, UMass athletics and NASCAR. He had traveled to Ireland and Costa Rica with his son David.
     Another morning crew that John was a proud member of was the morning coffee crew at Greenfield Coffee Roasters. Most mornings John could be found with his buddies Jim and Howie, sometimes called the three stooges by the people who served them.
     John was a communicant of Holy Trinity Church and often volunteered when help was needed.
     In his working life, John was employed as a brakeman for the railroad for 41 years. He was a Union representative with the United Transportation Union for many years.
     John was a man loved by his family and many friends. He always found the good in others and never had a critical thing to say.  
     John is survived by his devoted son David, of Greenfield, his brother Jerry Kells and his wife Linda of Westfield, four sisters; Judith Cronin of Northampton, Janice Richotte of Roscoe, Illinois, Joanne Harris and her husband Richard of Westminster, VT, and Jeanne Nietsche and her husband Henry of Deerfield, an uncle Richard Kells, several nieces, nephews and cousins, and his long time companion Roberta.
     John was predeceased by his son Stephen, and his parents.
     Visiting hours will be Sunday, April 10 from 2 to 5 pm at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 87 Franklin St., Greenfield.
     Visitation will continue Monday morning at 9 am at the funeral home. At 9:30 there will be an opportunity for family and friends to share memories and eulogize John.  A Liturgy of Christian Burial will then follow at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Church, 133 Main St., Greenfield. Burial services will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
     John’s family would like thank the doctors and nurses at Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Emergency Room and the Intensive Care Unit at Baystate Medical Center for their outstanding care and attention to John in his time of need.
     In lieu of flowers, it is suggested memorial donations be sent to the Stephen Kells Memorial Tournament, c/o Kevin Piecuch, 244 Country Club Rd., Greenfield, MA 01301
    
 

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