John P. Kelly Jr. passed away on June 15, 2018 at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford, New York. He was 92 years old.

Born in Norwich, New York on July 24, 1925, John was the son of the late John P. Kelly and Lucinda VanDeusen.

He attended St. Paul’s School and Norwich High School. John was a stellar athlete who excelled at all sports.

He played basketball, baseball and football in high school and was the team captain of the 1943 championship Norwich High football team.

He joined the U.S Navy in June 1944 and was stationed in California. Two years later he returned and entered Syracuse University and was a starting freshman fullback for the Syracuse Orangemen.

John left school after only one year but would remain an avid SU fan for life. Leaving school was a major turning point in his life.

John had met the love of his life, Carolyn “Tink” Taylor, “up the hill” in Syracuse at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital nursing school and preparing for marriage and family became his priority.

John returned to Norwich and started working as the Physical Education Director at the YMCA.

It was 1947 and John reunited with his brother Jim and others recently back from WWII to form the Norwich Y Giants, a semi-pro football team. The Y Giants played for 5 years and these team members would remain John’s good friends for life.

In 1950, John finally married Carolyn, started a family and began a long career with the Chenango-Unadilla Telephone Company. Though the name changed many times over the years, John stayed with the company for 37 years until retirement in 1987.

John was a good husband and remained happily married to Carolyn for 66 years until her death in August 2016. John was a devoted and loving father of five and grandfather to six.

John was a dear friend to many and loved people and socializing, dancing, movies and playing cards and games. He was a devout Catholic and attended St Paul’s Church regularly.

He always had a good word to say about everyone and was a devoted friend.

John continued his love of sports throughout his life and was a member of the Norwich Bowling Hall of Fame as well as a member of the Canasawacta Country Club hole-in-one club.

He was also a lifetime member of the Elk’s Club and a member of the American Legion.

John is survived by his children, Ellen Candlish (Martin), Thomas Kelly, Mary Kate Kelly, John P. Kelly III (Lisa), and Connie Waiksnoris (Joe), and his grandchildren, Kate Benoit (Adam), Jonathan and Kelly Waiksnoris, Erin and Shannon Kelly, and Morgan McAvoy. He is also Uncle, Great Uncle, and Great Great Uncle to many. John is predeceased by his wife Carolyn, his brother Jim Kelly, and his sister and brother-in-law Merle and Ed Leahy.

On Friday, June 22, 2018 there will be a small private memorial service graveside at St. Paul’s Cemetery.

No calling hours are planned.

For the last 5 years of his life, John resided at the Oxford Veterans’ Home suffering from severe dementia.

We thank them for taking good care of John; he was very fond of the staff. Anyone who would like to donate may choose from the Oxford Veterans’ Home, the Dementia Society of America, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Arrangements are with the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home.