Howard Francis Kelley

Howard Francis Kelley, 79, of Durham, beloved husband of Renée, died peacefully Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, in Middletown. He was born in Boston, MA, the son of the late Howard and Mary (Kavanagh) Kelley.
Howard had a 40 year-long career in education, the majority of which was spent serving as a superintendent of schools, including 23 years in Regional School District 13. After retirement, he was interim-Superintendent in Old Saybrook, Woodbridge and Pomfret and went on to become CEO of the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford.
Howard enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, boating and the great outdoors. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his grandchildren. Howard will always be remembered for his love of his wife, family, church and friends.
In addition to Renée, he is survived by his children Paul Kelley, Bryan Kelley and his wife, T. Nicole Kelley, Ann Whalen and her husband, Jamie Whalen, Neal Anderson and his wife, Jennifer Anderson, Michele Zito and her husband, Michael Zito; grandchildren Matthew Kelley, Trisha Kelley, McKenna Kelley, Grayson Kelley, Jade Grim, Shae Grim, Kyle Whalen, Trevor Whalen, Brendan Whalen, Abbigale Zito, Haley Zito, and Elli Zito.
A celebration of Howard's life will be held at the Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main St., Middlefield, CT, on Sunday, March 14, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Emmanuel Church, 50 Emanuel Church Rd., Killingworth, CT 06419, or the Coginchaug Regional High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 120, Durham, CT 06422. Biega Funeral Home has care of the arrangements.