James J. Kelly

Mass of Christian Burial for James J. "Jim" Kelly, 91, of Pyrites, will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 12:00 PM at St. Paul's Oratory in Pyrites, with Rev. Douglas J. Lucia, celebrating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Canton. Jim died on Saturday, September 13, 2014 while at home under the care of Hospice and his loving wife Barbara.
Friends may call at the O'Leary Funeral Home, 5821 US Hwy 11; Canton on Tuesday, September 16 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Potsdam Animal Shelter, 17 Madrid Avenue; Potsdam, NY 13676.
Surviving Jim are his wife of 61 years, Barbara of Pyrite; a sister, Katherine Murray Goff of Syracuse; and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his brother Leo Kelly in 2002 and by his sister-in-law Dorothy Kelly in 1998.
Jim was born on January 15, 1923 in Pyrites, the son of the late William Kelly Jr. and Sarah (Moulton) Kelly. He attended Pyrites School and graduated from Canton High School in 1938. Jim graduated from St. Lawrence University and from the Illinois School of Podiatry. He served in the United States Army from January 1943 until his honorable discharge in February 1946. Jim served in the Western Pacific Campaign earning the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and WWII Victory Medal. On January 15, 1953 he married Barbara Vant at St. Paul's Oratory in Pyrites with Rev. Whittaker, celebrating. Jim then received his teaching degree from Potsdam State Teacher College in 1969. He taught Advanced Placement Biology at Massena Central School until retiring in 1989. But those who know Jim, know he was a farmer at heart.
Jim was a communicant of St. Mary's Church and a member of the Cosmopolitan Club of Watertown. He and Barbara loved to dance, dancing a million miles all over, they were Patrons of the Arts, enjoying the Syracuse Symphony, the Watertown Mayor's Ball and Boldt Castle.
Memories and Condolences may be shared online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.

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