1885 – 1947 (June 29)
James Michael Kelly was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, on April 29, 1885 to Patrick Kelly and Hannah Hurley. He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pennsylvania, on October 14, 1917, and professed simple vows on the same date in 1918. By virtue of a dispensation from the Congregation of Religious, he made his solemn profession on May 24, 1919, and was ordained to the priesthood in Saint Charles’ Seminary at Overbrook, PA in June 8, 1919 by Archbishop Denis Dougherty.
Father Kelly served first at Saint Mary’s Parish in Lawrence, MA, In 1926 he was transferred to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and in 1932 he returned to Lawrence as assistant at Saint Laurence Parish, where he ministered until his death on Sunday, June 29, 1947. Father Kelly had celebrated Masses that morning and was preparing to have dinner when he died suddenly of a heart ailment. He was 62 years old.
Prior Provincial Mortimer Sullivan, O.S.A. celebrated the Requiem Mass at Saitn Laurence Church. Father George Walker, O.S.A. preached. Archbishop Richard Cushing of Boston presided. Father Kelly is buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Lawrence.
