John A. Kelly Iii

Age 76
Nehanic Station, NJ

Jack was born on April 22, 1934 in Irvington NJ . He was born and raised in Springfield NJ , the son of Helen (Criqui) and John A (Jack) II. He attended Springfield schools and Seton Hall University . Jack and his Sister Jacqueline (Kel) spent summers in Ocean Gate NJ sailing the waters and becoming expert sailors.

Jack took this love of the water to serve his Country in the US Naval Forces. He traveled the world while onboard the US Hornet. He served as an underwater specialist or “Trusty Shellback” earning elite membership into the “Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Waters of the Deep” while trolling the Western Pacific Waters. He visited ports from Japan to Australia .

He married his sweetheart Bobbie (Schneider) and they began their life together of 52 years in Somerville NJ . They would reside in Somerville for 23 years amassing friends for life in the small community. There they raised 4 children, Michael, Laurie, Kristen and Matthew who all attended the Somerville schools. They moved to their dream home in Neshanic Station in 1985.

Jack was active in the Catholic Youth Organization coaching the boy’s basketball team. He also managed the Somerville Elks pool and was a volunteer on their swim team when his kids were young.. Jack was a little league baseball coach for daughter Kristen and sons Michael and Matthew. He was also very involved in Motor Cross bicycling with son Matthew. Jack was a Life member of the Somerville Elks Lodge first joining the Organization in 1958. Among honors with the Elks, he was elected “Elk of the Year”.

Jack’s love of sailing never left him. He captained 8 sailing trips to US Virgin Islands with dear friends and family. “Captain Jack” ruled the crew with iron fist and mighty skill, directing the vessels through the many isles of the Caribbean . Memories of these trips abound and were talked about at many holiday dinners and the many parties on the porch in Neshanic (the stories getting grander each time!).

Jack was a Mortgage Banker for all of his career and retired from the business in 2007.

Jack and Bobbie loved to entertain and they were hosts of many get togethers over the years with Jack being the ultimate host.

Jack was surrounded by his family and friends in his final days. He knew of their profound love for him as a husband, father and grandfather. Jack leaves behind his wife Bobbie, sons Michael and Matthew, Daughter Laurie and Son-in-law Bill Petersen, Daughter Kristen and Son-in-law James McCann, grandchildren Kristen and Michael Kelly, Sister Jacqueline Kelly, Sister-in-law Pat Mulligan and her Husband Art and more friends, nephews and nieces than these pages will permit to mention. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30am on Friday, February 18 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville. Visiting hours are from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Thursday, February 17 at the Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Ave., Somerville

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Jack’s name to the Somerset Handicapped Children’s Center c/o Somerville Elks, 377 Union Avenue, Bridgewater NJ 08807