John J. Kelley

Tomorrow is Saint Patrick's Day, a special day for the Irish and I am fortunate to have many wonderful memories of both Johnny Kelley(s). I grew up in Newton and ran the Boston Marathon course often. While attending college, I trained daily on Commonwealth Ave from the Fire Station on Washington St Newton to Boston College and the top of Heartbreak Hill. I had tenacity and the good example of both Kelley(s), but good fortune was not always with me. Regardless, today I want to remember both...

John J Kelley and John A Kelley gave the Irish in Boston reason to be proud. We had all heard "Irish need not apply". But what the Kelleys demonstrated each year in the Boston Marathon destroyed any notion that we could not compete and win. Both John A and John J gave us reason to be proud and hopeful. The simple takeaway from their competing in the Boston Marathon was that persistence and hard work are requisite for success in life. Thank you John J and John A for all that you did to make...

RIP God Bless

I am shocked to hear my favorite runner has passed. I had no idea. I lived in CT for a few years and used to purchase my running shoes from Mr. Kelley. I will never forget the day I went to him for advice about running a full marathon. I asked him, "How do I know when I am ready to run a full marathon?" His reponse? "Why on Earth would you ever want to run a full marathon?" What an inspiring man! I loved going to see him at the store and get his advice on the shoes I should get - I loved...

Its been a week since Johnny J was called home and I miss his smile more than ever .. .

To Johnny and Jess' girls,

I had lunch with your dad last summer, I tried to visit him at least once a year after Jessie died. We always had a wonderful, always silly time. Laughing lunches was the du jour.

I loved your parents. My dad had just died October of 1981, I was young and Waterford Publishing (Sonalyst) had just signed on Tom Murphy and your dad to write and we would publish "Just Call Me Jock."

1981,I was overwhelmed with grief. Johnny,...

i came home this weekend to visit family to hear that mr.
kelly had died. i was so sad. i had mr. kelly for high school english, and he was always one of my favorite people at school. he was always so kind and he made learning fun! from then on, i've never heard his name without smiling. he will be so missed. my condolences to his family and friends.

I was looking at the Web today and saw that John Kelley had died. I am so saddened by this news. Back in the '50's I attended Finnish dances that were held to raise money to bring Finnish runners to compete in the Boston Marathon. John also attended some of these events. I remember him as a smiling, congenial, man with wonderful sportsmanship. I counted myself privileged to have been able to meet him and share some time in the same room. My deepest sympathy to all of you who...

I am sorry for you loss. Mr. Kelly was always so kind to me every time I was in Kelly's pace to buy my running shoes. I will truely miss him.