Michael J.B. Kelly

KELLY, MICHAEL J.B.
76, of Harwich Port, MA, formerly of Rhode Island, passed away May 4, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Florida, under hospice care with his wife and children by his side.
The son of the late Eileen (McBrine) and Joseph Kelly, he was the beloved husband of Dorothy for 46 years. He leaves three children, Michelle Kelly of Los Angeles, CA, Christopher Kelly and his wife Leah of Ellenton, Florida, and Joseph Kelly and his wife Ashley of St. Johns, Florida. He was the cherished grandfather of John Michael, Joseph Paul, Elizabeth Jean and Emma May.
Michael began his career studying commercial photography at Art Center in Los Angeles, CA. He later went on to work as an award-winning news photographer at the Providence Journal for 41 years. His many photos included the American Cup Races in Newport, the funeral of JFK, the infamous blizzard of '78, and the procession of the Tall Ships as they sailed into Newport Harbor during the Bicentennial celebration.
During his career, he traveled coast to coast and abroad with fellow Journal reporters as they set out to cover places and persons of interest. As a surreal fashion photographer, his fashion shoots took him from the runways of New York City to the beaches of the Caribbean.
For years, Mike covered the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals where he photographed many musical icons as they performed on stage. One of his most celebrated pictures, Frank Sinatra exiting his helicopter at the Newport Jazz festival, was framed and presented to him at his retirement party.
In 2004, Michael and Dorothy left Rhode Island to live in Harwich Port where he began photographing the subtle and idyllic beauty of Cape Cod, the place he loved to call home. Services have been privately arranged by the family.