John "Jack" F. Kelley

John F. Kelley (Jack) of Newburyport, MA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, June 16, 2019 at his home in Newburyport. He was the son of the late John E. Kelley and Anne Watson Kelley. Jack was born and raised in Lawrence, MA. He attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School and Central Catholic High School, where he always felt he received an excellent education as well as being in a very caring environment.

He joined the Army National Guard in 1957 and served six months of active duty at Fort Dix, NJ and 6 years of reserve duty at the Lawrence National Guard Armory.

Jack graduated from UMASS Amherst in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, and he went on later to earn a Master of Science degree in teaching Mathematics at UNH in Durham, NH in 1969.

He began his teaching career in Adams, MA from 1963-1965, Dracut High School from 1965-1969, and North Andover High School from 1969-1998. He was elected to the North Andover Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 for his 20 years of coaching cross country (10 years) and winter track (10 years).

For the last 21 years, he has enjoyed chasing the salubrious weather in Maine, Newburyport, Pine Knoll Shores in North Carolina, and Florida. He was a self-proclaimed “camper extraordinaire”.

Jack’s top athletic achievement was a hole-in-one at the 213 yard, 2nd hole at Crystal Lake Golf Course in Haverhill, MA.

He is survived by his beloved wife Gail, with whom he shared several trips to Ireland and Italy as well as many other destinations. Jack is also survived by his 3 children and 6 grandchildren, of whom he could not be prouder: Susan Harden, her husband Bob and their children Robby and Craig, Donna Coco, her husband Frank and their children Kirsten and Bailey, and John F. Kelley, Jr., his wife Liz and their children John Kelley, III (Jake) and Lucas. Also surviving are step-children Lyn Stanton, her husband Steve and their daughter Shannon, Chris Andrews and Michael Andrews. Also several nephews, nieces and their children. Jack was predeceased by his sister Joan and his brother James, who he missed very much.

“Please shed no tears, just enjoy the years Jack did!”

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 27th, 2019 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm at the “Winner’s Circle”, 211 Elm Street, Salisbury, MA 01952. To visit Jack’s tribute page, please visit www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com

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