Photo courtesy of MC CANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME
Woodbury, New Jersey
Age 95
On July 17, 2018. Frank J. Kelly, M.D., Age 95 of Woodbury, New Jersey, formerly of Gloucester City, New Jersey. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Catherine M. (nee Costello). Also predeceased by Martha B. Kelly. Loving father of Francis Joseph Kelly, Jr. (Loretta); W. Michael Kelly (Daniela); M. Kathleen Caruso (John); Terry Kelly; William P. Kelly (Diane); Paul D. Kelly (Patricia); and Grace M. Kupcha (Paul). Also survived by grandchildren: Sean M. Kelly (Susan); J. Peter Kelly (Kim); Thomas M. Kelly; Susie Krone (David); Amanda Rose Kelly; Katherine M. Caruso; Michael Caruso (Jaime); Maura Kelly Keiser (Craig); William F. Kelly (Erin); Brian P. Kelly (Megan); Patrick A. Kelly; P. Daniel Kelly, Jr.; Colin G. Kelly; and Matthew F. Kelly. Also survived by six great grandchildren: Mary Grace Kelly; Catherine Kelly; Audrey Kelly; Emma Kelly; and Lauren Kelly.
Dr. Frank Kelly was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1922 and raised in Peoria, Illinois as an only child of Joe and Ada Kelly.
He attended Spalding Institute and graduated in 1939. In 1939 he enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. He earned his B.S. in three years and thereafter enrolled at Northwestern University Medical School from which he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1945.
While an undergraduate he acquired his pilot’s license having taken pilot training at Bendix Field in South Bend.
He served as a Lieutenant J.G. in the United States Navy as a Medical Officer assigned to Great Lakes Naval Hospital during World War II and was Honorably Discharged in 1946.
He also participated as a volunteer for high altitude endurance training for the Navy.
While at Notre Dame, he befriended a classmate from Gloucester City, Bill Costello. Through Bill, Frank met Bill’s sister, Catherine, and the two were married on September 18, 1944 while Frank was still in medical school.
Eventually, Frank and Catherine “Cass” moved to Gloucester City and raised seven children, all of whom attended St. Mary’s grammar school and Gloucester Catholic High School. Frank and Catherine considered it a blessing that they were able to impart their faith and devotion to their children and grandchildren.
Dr. Kelly located his office on Broadway in Brooklawn and served generations of families in the Gloucester City, Brooklawn and Westville area until his retirement. Over the years, Dr. Kelly worked at Cooper Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes, Burlington County and Zurbrugg Hospital in various capacities as well as performing research at Fox Chase. Dr. Kelly also served as Plant Physician at RCA in Camden.
His former patients will always remember Dr. Kelly with his black bag and his pipe, making house calls and having walk-in office hours.
An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Kelly has always enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, hiking and flying.
Dr. Kelly also served for decades as team doctor to Gloucester High School and Gloucester Catholic High School athletics.
In the 1950’s he was one of the early area doctors selected to provide lectures for engaged couples in the Diocesan Pre Cana program.
In 1977 he was hired as Medical Director for the Camden County Hospital at Lakeland and remained there until retirement. He was especially proud of Lakeland’s accreditation by the Joint Commission during his tenure.
In 1978 he was named Citizen of the Year by the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Gloucester City.
In 1982 he was granted the honor of being named a Knight of St. Gregory the Great by then Pope John Paul II in recognition of his years of service to his community and the church.
Affectionately referred to as “Bobby” by his grandchildren, Frank greatly enjoyed sharing stories of his experiences, life lessons and witty sayings. He will be forever remembered and greatly missed by his family and all whom he encountered.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Dr. Kelly’s viewing to be held on Sunday, July 22 between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and on Monday morning between 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. at St. Mary’s R.C. Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial celebrated on Monday, July 23, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in church. Interment with U.S. Navy Military Honors in New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
In lieu of flowers the family requests any memorial expressions be made to Saint Mary’s Church: 426 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City or Gloucester Catholic High School 333 Ridgeway Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030. Please write in memo: Frank J. Kelly, M.D.
Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Frank J. Kelly, M.D.
Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries may be made through:
McCann-Healey
Funeral Home:
Gloucester City
Ph: 856-456-1142
Grace and the Kelly Family,
I just learned that your dad passed away...I was out of the country on vacation so just heard . I am so sad to hear that. Grace, I have many fond memories of your dad (and mom!) and the time we spent hanging out at your parent's home....they were both such great people!
Thoughts and prayers are with you and entire family.
Karen Fitzpatrick
July 27, 2018 | Washinton Twp., NJ
I just found out about the passing of Dr. Kelly and am truly saddened. I believe he was a saint who walked among us. My mother, grandmother and grandfather were among his first patients when he started his practice in the 1950s and he took care of them throughout their entire lives, continuing to make house calls even as most doctors had long ago stopped doing so. His office in Brooklawn was right out of a history book and I can vividly remember my visits there, particularly those times when...
Andrew Kortman
July 27, 2018 | Brigantine, NJ | Friend
When we think of Dr. Kelly , we think of a man of true faith, commitment, and integrity. Dr. Kelly came into our lives when my sister Patty Donnelly married Paul Kelly in 1987. That's when so many wonderful stories of him were shared with us. He surely was a man that served his community thru the gift of healing and medicine. Helping others all hours of the day, while raising his own big family along with the beautiful Mr. Kelly. His legacy will live on in his big family. We have no doubt...
Teresa Ohlsen
July 25, 2018 | Marmora, NJ
My deepest sympathy to his family. May Almighty God grant you peace as you cope with your loss. Jer. 29:11
July 25, 2018
To the Kelly Family:
Sorry to learn of your loss. I can remember my Mom telling me about Dr. Kelly and how kind he always was to her Mother and her Sister.
May all the wonderful memories you shared together help to get you through this difficult time.
July 24, 2018
Sincere condolences to all the Kelly clan. Please know that Dr. Kelly will be remembered by so many people. He was an icon in Gloucester City where everyone became a patient at some point in his or her life. Remembering the image of his slow, calm demeanor; and the twinkle in his eye as he prepared that B12 shot. He was so smart and such a good diagnostician, we find ourselves comparing our present doctors to him. He set the bar high. He will surely have a special place in Heaven. Thank you...
Bill and Nancy (Plews) Taylor
July 23, 2018 | Spring, TX
To the Kelley Family
My deepest condolences on the passing of your father.
As GCHS grads (Terry I am truly sorry) my parents, 8 siblings and myself will always remember Dr. Kelly as a wonderful person and dear friend to my family. As many have said here, it didn't matter how late it was in the evening, Dr. Kelly would come to our home and say "Hi Mom" what's going on?
We knew of course that the "huge" doctor's case would open and what was to come next........... Dr. Kelly is the...
Patty Jackson
July 23, 2018 | Blackwood, NJ
Remembered By
Patty Jackson
July 23, 2018 | Blackwood, NJ
Like so many who have posted here, Dr. Kelly was our family doctor, neighbor, and family friend. His dominating and gentle presence remain a powerful memory of my growing up years. He was a guiding voice for our family when my mother, Florence Frymire, was suffering with cancer and was the only physician who gave us understandable and helpful information. My sincere condolences to the whole family. Please know that you are in our prayers.
Jeff Frymire
July 23, 2018 | Kissimmee, FL | Friend
