James Warren Kelly

Middletown, NY

Judge Warren Kelly passed away after a long illness on August 6, 2008, at home, surrounded by his family.

James Warren Kelly entered this world at Lawrence, Long Island on November 18, 1917 the fourth of eight children born to Marie Josephine Mulry and Warren Kelly. His siblings were Virginia, William Mulry, Marie, Ursula, Russell, John Delacy and Joan.

They lived a fairly idyllic life amidst their cousins on Mulry Lane. Then Warren's father relocated to Miami and Boston, and finally to New York with The New York Daily Mirror.

Warren was educated at St. Joachim's School, and graduated from St. Augustine's High School in Brooklyn in June of 1935. He attended Manhattan College for one year and then transferred to NYU, where he majored in accounting. While attending college during the evening, he had a full time job as a Singer Sewing Machine salesman, selling door-to-door in the apartment buildings of Manhattan. Warren then attended New York Law School in the evenings from 1938-1941, but with World War II looming, he was drafted in August 1941. During the course of the War, with most of the young men in the service, New York Law School closed. Warren was discharged and returned to the States in 1945 and finished his law degree at St. John's University graduating in 1946.

During the War, Captain Kelly was stationed in England and served as Medical Supply Administrator of a 1500 bed Hospital, which took care of the wounded soldiers from the European front. On his days off, since he had a Law background, he would serve the Judge Advocate General by prosecuting GI's who had committed crimes in the communities near the base.

Warren married Ann Tres Adrian in May 1946 and in 1947 came with his wife and child to Middletown, having found a position with Attorney George Roesch, Sr. Eventually he established his own firm and shared office space with young George Roesch III. Warren had a career of 50 years in the law when he hung up his shingle. He served his clients well and was a fine example for his profession.

Warren was active in the community, having served on the Board of the local chapter of the Red Cross during the polio epidemic of the late 40's and early 50's at a time when there were many patients in iron lungs. He was President of Middletown Chamber of Commerce, member of the Grievance Committee of the Bar Association, Attorney for the IDA of Middletown, President of Orange County Golf Club. He was a 62-year member of the American Legion. He was a member of Kiwanis for more than 50 years. Warren served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Middletown from 1969-1971, and from 1972-1978 he served as both Acting City Judge under Jerome Markovits and was elected to the City Judgeship, as well. He and past judges were recently honored by the Women's Bar Association.

He had a passion for golf and bridge and played as frequently as he was able.

Warren took up flying in his forties and, with a partner, owned a Piper Comanche which he flew to Florida, Minnesota, and many other places. He and his flying buddies would often fly to lunch. He also learned to ski in his fifties.

In 1970, he married Anne DeNotaris Warren who survives him. He is also survived by his five children, Gerald, and his wife Laurel, Warren, Jr., Marie Kelly and her companion, Mark Kirk, Edward and his wife, Judy and Tom and his wife Michaela; three step-sons, Robert Warren and his wife Jean, Andrew Warren and his wife Mary and Stephen Warren and his wife Loraine. Judge Kelly is also survived by 19 grandchildren, Colleen, Jennie, Michael, David, Maggie, Rebecca, Matthew, Melanie, Jessica, Erin, Adrian, Quinn, Caroline, Julia, Christopher, Sydney, Corinne, Lora, and Conor and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers and three sisters, as well as his first wife Ann, and a grandson, Geoffrey.

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Dinsmore, Dr.Thomas Eanelli, the nurses at Crystal Run, the nurses and staff of Hospice for their compassionate care and all of the friends who have helped Warren and the family during these last few months.

Visitation will be on Friday, August 7 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral will be held on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Ave., Middletown, NY 10940.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or CROC, P.O. Box 860, New Hampton, NY 10958.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY 10940.