Richard J. Kelly

Richard J. Kelly, 60, passed away Wednesday, August 3, 2017, peacefully in his sleep with his sister, Patricia, by his side.  Richard fought his diagnosis with ALS with courage and dignity, eagerly awaiting clinical research trials.

Richard was born in Washington D.C. on April 14, 1957, the son of Joseph M. and Ann M. (Barrett) Kelly.

Richard was a graduate of Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, MA and received his BA in Anthropology at Amherst College in 1979.

Upon graduation from Amherst, Richard embarked upon on a lengthy investment banking career that spanned over 30 years with notable stops at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and M.A. Schapiro & Co., Inc., the latter of which where he was most proud of re-establishing the firm’s investment banking group.

Richard loved sports as he was a devoted Red Sox fan and a regular spectator at Amherst College football and basketball games.  Additionally, Richard loved to travel the globe counting Alaska, Hawaii, Italy and Jay Peak in Vermont among his favorite locations.

As a communicant of Corpus Christi Church in Chatham, NJ for many years, Richard was an active participant of his church.  Richard served as a lector, a catechist as a CCD teacher in the parish’s youth religious education program and as a volunteer for numerous church functions.

Richard was particularly proud of his children.  Throughout their lives he enjoyed attending all of their athletic events throughout the Northeastern United States during their middle school, high school and college careers and always made it a point to return home from his busy travel schedule every Halloween to take them trick or treating.

Richard was a voracious reader enjoying Vince Flynn novels and had a passion for music with Bruce Springsteen and the Eagles being some of his favorite artists.

Survivors include his children, Brian C. Kelly, of Succasunna, NJ, Meghan G. Kelly, of New Jersey, James M. Kelly, of Morristown, NJ, his sister and caretaker, Patricia M. Kelly of Deerfield, MA, and two brothers, John T. Kelly, of Penn Valley, PA, and Kevin B. Kelly, of Concord, MA as well as many friends.

Richard was predeceased by his brother, Joseph M. Kelly, II on March 11, 2000 and his sister Elizabeth K. Ebitz on October 2, 2004, who also battled ALS courageously.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 5, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 133 Main Street, Greenfield.

Committal prayers will follow in Clark Cemetery in Deerfield.

There are no calling hours and friends are asked to meet directly at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Angel Fund for ALS Research, 649 Main Street, Wakefield, MA 01880.

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