Kelly Phillip Penna

1937 - 2017

September 29, 1937 - August 18, 2017 Kelly Phillip Penna, born Sept. 29, 1937 in Beaumont, TX, passed peacefully in his sleep on Friday, August 18, 2017 in his Laguna Niguel home. Kelly was lovingly known as "Penna" to his wife, "Dad" to his children, "Cowboy" to many of his close friends, and "Grandpa George" to his grandson, Brock. Born to Frank and Mary Penna, Kelly had six siblings: Frank, Joe, Mary Ellen, Nora Jane, Roy Anthony, and Sam. Kelly moved to California in 1958, after serving four years in the US Air Force (the last two years stationed in Japan). In 1959 Kelly met the love of his life, Jean Louise Bergeron, and after a short courtship, they were married in May 1960. Kelly and Jeanne had two children, Lisa Penna (b. 1961) and Michael Penna (b. 1963). Kelly worked for close to 40 years as an Aircraft/Airframe Mechanic and an Aircraft Inspector in both the aerospace industry, and in the commercial airline industry. Outside of work, he was an avid golfer, bowler, fisherman, chess player, pool shark, and card shark, He loved games of all kinds and he loved to gamble at the card tables and play the slots in Vegas. He loved to teach and he made sure that his children also knew how to play all of the games that he played so well. Kelly loved to travel and he and his family regularly took advantage of the free air travel offered to him as an employee of Western/Delta Airlines. He loved to take his family on tropical vacations to Hawaii, Bermuda and the Bahamas. Kelly's greatest pleasure in life was spending time with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his friends. He was a mentor to his children and taught them the true value of education and hard work. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and was a friend to all. He was always the life of the party and lit up every room that he walked into. Kelly had a special way of making people laugh and of helping them to forget their worries. A man of true distinction and an admirable soul, he will be sorely missed. Kelly is survived by his wife Jeanne Penna, their two children: Lisa and Michael Penna, their two grandchildren: Gillian and Brock Penna, and his brother Sam Penna.