Walter James Kelly

Portsmouth, RI - Walter James Kelly, 90, of 41 Sakonnet Drive, Portsmouth, RI, formerly of Paradise Avenue, Middletown, RI, died Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at Newport Hospital Newport, RI.He was the husband of Gertrude T. Murphy Kelly. Born in Cumberland, RI on December 9, 1913, he was the son of the late Joseph P. and Dora E. Moore Kelly. Mr. Kelly was a firefighter for 35 years, on the US Naval Base from 1939-1971 and he also worked for J. T. OConnell Building Supply from 1939-1978. He was a communicant of St. Barnabas Church where he was also an Usher. Mr. Kelly was a member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Middletown Council 4201 and the General Rosecrans 4th degree K of C. He was a member of the De La Salle Academy Fathers Club. Mr. Kelly was President of NARFE Newport Chapter for 8 years and also President of NARFE of the State of Rhode Island chapter for 4 years. He was past treasurer of AOH #1 of Newport and past member of the Middletown Planning Board. Besides his wife of sixty-five 65 years he is survived by four sons Richard M. Kelly of Newport, RI, Walter J. Kelly Jr. of Glastonbury, CT, Michael J. Kelly of Portsmouth, RI, and William A. Kelly of Springfield, MA, his daughter Nancy Ellen White of Tiverton, RI, fourteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.He was the brother of the late Everett Kelly, Joseph Kelly, Francis Kelly, Dora Short and Mae Kelly. His funeral will be held on Monday jan.12, 2004, at 10:00 AM, from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 AM, in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations may be made in his memory to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire and Rescue Wagon Fund P O Box 806 Portsmouth, RI 02871