John Thomas Kelly

Thank you all for your sweet words about my dad. It is amazing to hear all of the stories! I'm so glad so many people knew how great he was.
Amy Kelly (John's youngest)

I also wanted to add my appreciation for the kind words you left concerning my Dad. I'm thankful that so many others experienced how great a man he was.
Blessings,
Katy Martin (John's oldest daughter)

To Johns' Friends & Colleagues,

On behalf of my brothers and sisters, thank you for your kind words and rememerances of events in John's life. It is comforting to hear of John's many strong relationships throughout the country.

I am very sad to hear that John passed away. He was a very experienced man in many ways with a great personality. We were looking forward to his participation in our business. I was waiting for John to show up here in Northern California for his new job that he was going to start at the end of March. I was surprised when he didn't show up at the hotel and hadn't used the air tickets. He said that he was intending to visit his aunt and uncle in Sacramento, but we never heard a word after...

APRIL 9TH.
I worked for John at Rock-Tenn several years ago. John was a good man in many ways. John gave me a chance to experience the American dream.You see, I am an African. John believed in me and gave me a job. He was a good man and easy to talk to. Please accept my sincere condolences

I worked for John Kelly twice. Once for a short time at Packing Plus, when it was known as Berkley Packaging, and more recently at Fabri-Kal. John was genuinely a kind and helpful man and boss. I am saddened at his departure, but this world is a better place because John was here. My prayers are with his family.

I knew John from our time working together at Rock-Tenn, and was so sorry to hear of his death. Many years ago, he asked me to collect a few Wood Duck feathers from a hunt on my property in South Georgia. He used them to make a number of colorful trout flies, one of which he presented to me. I had that fly with me in Alaska last fall, and I would like to think that I left a little of John's spirit there on that wilderness stream. I do believe he would have appreciated that.

I first meet John in the mid 80's when he worked at Hopple and then ended up working with him at Rock-Tenn years later. He was always a pleasure to be around and would help you anyway he could. I am saddened to hear of his passing but comforted that he is in a better place. My condolences to his family.

I only knew John briefly in grade school. Then,as a sophomore at Nazareth, I invited him to a dance. We doubled with a friend of mine who asked one of his brothers. My parents and my friend's mother were chaperones(besides the Nuns!). The theme of the dance was "Carousel". We all went to a 'super club' in Hillside afterwards and had a good time. I remember John being quite a gentleman... polite, shy and genuine. He had a great smile. I hope he had a full and memorable life. Please accept my...