Paul A. Kelly

1937 - 2017

Paul Arthur Kelly, 79, of Higganum, CT, beloved husband for nearly 50 years of Anita (Carta) Kelly, died of a heart attack on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. Born in Somerville, MA, the son of the late Daniel J. Kelly and Ruth (Galvin) Kelly, Paul was the youngest of four brothers. He graduated from Cambridge High and Latin School in 1955 and went on to attend Boston University, where he was a member of the varsity hockey team and graduated with a BA in 1959. Always an avid sportsman, he spent his college summers playing baseball in the Cape Cod League. However, teaching became his lifelong passion, and in 1960 he completed his MA in Education, again from Boston University. He spent one year teaching in Vermont, before an opportunity at Haddam Junior High School brought him to Connecticut. For over 40 years he was a beloved science teacher at both the middle school and high school in what was to become Regional School District #17. During this time, he served as President of the Haddam Education Association and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the first evaluation of Haddam-Killingworth High School by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. In 1986 his passion for teaching was rewarded when he was a runner-up for the Connecticut State Teacher of the Year award. Never one to sit still, he volunteered his time as a head coach and divisional coordinator for the Middlesex County Youth Hockey Association. He was also a member of the Middletown Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No.771 and served on their scholarship committee. Paul also obtained his real estate license and worked as an agent for Arlene Sirepinski Realtor for over 30 years. Paul was an avid Boston sports fan and loved sharing his interests (and opinions) with anyone who crossed his path. Weather also became one of Paul's passions. He was a weather watcher for various local TV stations, most notably WFSB-TV Channel 3, and also formed the Weather Club at H-K Middle School. For the past twenty-five years, Paul was a determined friend of Bill W. and was dedicated to helping others on similar personal journeys. Paul was a loving husband, a dedicated father, an extremely proud grandfather, and a true friend to all who knew him. His greatest gifts were his love for family, his friendship, and his ability to make those around him shine brighter. Those who were fortunate enough to know him never forgot the positive impact he had on their lives. In addition to his wife, Anita, Paul is survived by his son, Sean Paul Kelly of Westport, CT; daughter, Megan Ruth Kelly of New York, NY; their spouses, Deirdre Kelly and James Bogues; four grandchildren, Aisling, Aidan, Liam and Sloane; and 13 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Donald J. Kelly, William R. Kelly and Daniel J. Kelly, Jr. and nephew, Mark Kelly. Funeral services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 10 Elm Street, Middletown, CT on Thursday, May 25th at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, 857 South Main Street, Middletown, CT. Friends may call at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver Street, Middletown, CT from 4:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday, May 24th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association 5 Brookside Dr., PO Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492 or the Jimmy Fund c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 02284-9168, Boston, MA 02284.