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Michael T. Kelly

Michael Kelly Obituary

Of Swampscott, in Iraq, age 46, beloved husband of Madelyn (Greenberg) Kelly; devoted father of Tom and Jack; loving son of Thomas and Marguerite (Lelong) Kelly. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a wake liturgy and tribute Wed at 10:00 AM. in St. John's the Evangelist Church, 174 Humphrey St., Swampscott which will be followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M. in the Church. Interment will be in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Ma. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Memorial donations may be made in Mike's memory to the Tom and Jack Education Fund, c/o Donna Papadopoulos, Sovereign Bank, 495 Paradise Rd., Swampscott, MA. 01907. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Capitol Hill, 2nd and C St., NE, Washington, D.C. For more information, contact the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., SALEM, 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.

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Published by Boston Globe on Apr. 8, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Kelly

26 Entries

Josh Sawislak

April 9, 2003

For many of us, the death of someone we know makes us think about how we live our lives. Friday, that happened to me. Mike Kelly was never shy about telling the world what he thought was right -- or wrong. I will remember him as someone who never tempered his position based on what was popular or safe. His death is a tragedy and he will be missed by those who loved him, those who felt as he did, and even those who disagreed with him on a regular basis. The world needs people like Mike who say what they feel, never back down because their position may be unpopular, and risk their lives to tell the story. Mike died Friday telling that story and setting an example for all of us. While I sometimes disagreed with the words he wrote, I will always respect the man for having the courage to write them.

Marco Zamora

April 9, 2003

The tragic loss of Michael Kelly brings great sorrow to me and all of his dedicated readers. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife, children, and family.

I was fortunate to have attended junior high school with Mike, and was proud to be his friend in those early years of our lives. Even back then, it was evident that Mike was a very special and unique person, destined for greatness. Not surprisingly, he was smart, analytical, and insightful even back then (in the tumultuous late 60's). He also was a very kind, warm, understanding person, polite and amiable to everyone, even people who disagreed with him on the issues of the day (like who was gonna play quarterback, Sonny or Billy?). He had a strenth of character, which I believe eminated from a strong moral foundation provided by his fine parents. He was a true and loyal friend, a very fine human being.

I regret that I did not keep in touch with Mike over the years, but, because of his weekly columns, I felt like I was having an ongoing conversation with him. I did so enjoy his Wednesday columns, as did so many others across the country.

God bless you Mike, and may He bless your family and give them comfort in these very difficult days and weeks to come. I am missing you already.

Marco Zamora

Anna Wolfe

April 8, 2003

I remember Mike when he was a young teen. I was friends with his sister Meg. I have fond memories of riding bikes down to the Market with him and Meg. Mike had a wonderful family who were always very kind to me. I am only sorry I did not keep in touch of the years. My thoughts and prayers are with them now.

Walt and Eileen Lazaroff

April 8, 2003

In addition to everything else, Mike was the best next door neighbor anyone could have. We loved Mike and will miss him. Our condolences to Max,Tom,Jack the Kelly and Greenberg families and all those who loved him.

C Robert

April 8, 2003

I have watched the War and only through journalists like Mr. Kelly was this possible. Thanks to Mr. Kelly we were able to be a participant. My deepest sympathy at your loss and May God Be With You giving you love and peace.

William Margulies

April 5, 2003

Requiescat in pacem.

Stephanie Gutmann

April 5, 2003

Michael Kelly was the journalist of his generation who most resembled George Orwell. In other words, he reached the state of grace to which we all aspire.

It's not just that he was smart and broadly-educated and had a quiet, dry humor, that he was self-effacing, and that he valued the voice of "the common man" over the official or "the expert." Michael Kelly believed fervently in field reporting. Other writers who've reached his stature are content to sit at their desks in Washington and natter or comment endlessly on the commentary, but Michael never stopped going out whereever-it-was and getting as close to the story as he could. He seems to have believed fervently (like Orwell) that the truth of an experience was communicated just as much by its small details as by facts and figures. And the truth was never black or white for him; it reproduced life accurately with all its shades, contradictions, and nuances. Also, like Orwell, Michael stood with his beliefs even when they were unpopular--as when he was fired from the New Republic for being anti-Clinton.

I worked with him once on a piece for the New Republic and always looked forward to working with him again. (I felt so certain that our paths would cross again. It was one of the bonuses of being alive--here, now.)

It is so hard to believe he is gone. I find myself asking "Why him?, why now?" But Michael would be the best person to write the wise, dry, sensible column answering this question.

The world has lost a great man.

Randy Ludlow

April 5, 2003

I sat next to Mike for three years early during his career at The Cincinnati Post. He was a little rough around the edges as a writer when he joined us, but he quickly became a talented journalist. He was single-minded in his pursuit of the great story and was devoted to his craft. Mike also was a best friend, with a great sense of humor. I will miss his great insight and e-mails. Mike always wanted to see for himself, that is why he was in Iraq. We have lost a good one. See you again, Mike ... -- 30 --

Sean Hackbarth

April 5, 2003

Michael Kelly wrote with passion and verve. He made The Atlantic a vital magazine filled with new ideas and splended opinions. Finally, his war reporting got you sitting along side the soldiers themselves. He will be deeply missed.

Martin Wooster

April 4, 2003

I never met with or spoke to Michael Kelly. but I loved his sharp and clear writing. And as a loyal reader of THE NEW REPUBLIC and ATLANTIC MONTHLY, I could tell what a great editor he was. He was a bright, original voice, and will be sorely missed.

A. Craig Copetas

April 4, 2003

Rest in peace, amigo.

Timothy Nowak

April 4, 2003

We have lost one of America's best voices. God bless and keep him.

Patrick Downs

April 4, 2003

I worked with Mike in Gulf War I, and immediately took a liking to him. I kept in touch sometimes over the years, mainly to compliment him on his many wise columns and stories, and his career successes. This is a big loss for journalism... he was so talented, intelligent, and perceptive. That, and in my experience, just a good guy. My condolences to his family, and prayers for his young children, who will miss him always. God bless, Mike.

C. Shen

April 4, 2003

Thank you for sending us for so many years information and enlightenment from places, both geographical and intellectual, where we would not dare to go ourselves. Godspeed.

George Cerny

April 4, 2003

This terrible news will hit hard all of us who read the Atlantic and enjoy the voices that he encouraged and nurtured.

Danion Jacobson

April 4, 2003

Saddest news of the year? Maybe. First Sen. Moynihan, now Michael Kelly. The common sense reserve will be sorely tested. What a loss when there are so few truly talented writers participating in journalism. One less man of letters in our TV generation. One we could hardly afford to lose.

Cal Lemley

April 4, 2003

Fluke makes no hero. Persistency does.

Sean Higgins

April 4, 2003

Michael Kelly was a bold, brave writer and editor.

He will be missed. Worse still, he cannot be replaced.

April 4, 2003

I was shocked to hear about Mr. Kelly's death. His post-9/11 column condemning relativism (quoting one Alison Hornstein, if I remember aright, at Yale, as saying that for her, it was wrong, but...), which unfortunately despite extensive searching I cannot find online anywhere (Please, can anyone help me find it?), was one of the finest pieces of commentary on the events of that terrible day that I have read. He will be sorely missed. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Barry Gross

April 4, 2003

Michael Kelly had become my favorite read on the national security crisis. I'll miss his voice terribly. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Barry Gross

Chief copy editor

New York Post

Allan Dodds Frank

April 4, 2003

Michael Kelly will live on in the warmth of his words. He was a marvelously sweet and sharp reporter and writer and a wonderful storyteller. I feel charmed to have known him and the world will miss him greatly.

Dorothy Parker

April 4, 2003

Your Wednesday wit and wisdom will be sorely missed. Condolences to the Kelly family. Rest in peace, Michael Kelly.

Neera Goitein

April 4, 2003

What a heartbreaker! For me, this is the saddest news of the war. Ever since I read one of Michael Kelly's columns for the Washington Post, I have looked forward to Wednesdays because that's when his column usually appears. His point of view, his opinions, his humor, and his choice of words and subjects were always spot on. Once I had discovered his writing, I went back and read everything I could find by him, and blessed the Internet for making it possible to do that.

I'll feel his loss always, but especially on every single Wednesday.

I pray that his family can have some consolation in the knowledge that he made such a great contribution to the realm of ideas and gave enormous pleasure and insight to so many people.

May God welcome him and cherish him.

April 4, 2003

I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Michael Kelly's family and friends. Michael was a gifted journalist, and while alive, made extraordinary contributions that will last through time. I will miss Michael's columns, and I already miss the version of the future that did not come to pass -- the one that included Michael's vivid voice for decades to come.

April 4, 2003

I've looked forward each month to Michael's columns in the Atlantic. His voice will be missed.

John Hamill

April 4, 2003

My heartfelt sympathy to the family,loved ones and colleagues at the Washington Post and the Atlantic Monthly for the loss of Michael Kelly. He was an enormously human and valuable journalist who was doing what the good ones do-covering the story. Vaya Con Dios. John Hamill,NYC.

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