Thomas J. Kelly

Thomas J. Kelly, 84, of South Windsor, passed peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, at Manchester Memorial Hospital.

He was the beloved husband of the late Jeannette (Bigaouette) Kelly, to whom he was married for 53 wonderful years. Thomas was born in the Bronx, New York, on July 15, 1937, son of the late Joseph F. and Elizabeth (Naughton) Kelly. Thomas grew up in the Bronx until age 7, when the family moved to Putnam. He graduated from Putnam High School in 1955. He went on to graduate from Eastern Connecticut Teachers College with a degree in education. He was a beloved 8th grade science teacher at Vernon Middle School until his retirement in 1998 after 38 years of service. Tom was also an active real estate agent in the area for 30 years. He enjoyed making people laugh, talking, his extended family, maintaining relationships, especially the Vernon Retired Teacher's Dunkin' Donut club, UConn basketball and Irish music.

He was the loving father of Jeff Kelly and his wife, Corinne, of Summit, New Jersey, Thomas Kelly and his wife, Karen, of Coventry and Erinn Grady and her husband, Donnell, of Manchester. Tom cherished his grandchildren, Ryan, Cameron and Miread Kelly, Korey, and Shana Hanna and Brendan and Brian Kelly and three precious great-grandchildren, Iylah and Raelyn Dunn and Grayson Kelly.

Tom is also survived by his dear sister and brother, Lillian MacKenzie of Dudley, Massachusetts, and Patrick Kelly of Putnam. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Kelly, and sister, Kathleen Venie.

Tom will always be remembered for his unending devotion to our mother, Jeanette.

The family would like to thank all his doctors, nurses, the staff at Manchester Memorial Hospital, the staff at Woodlakes, and all the other frontline healthcare professionals who take care of patients.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, Aug. 29, from 3-6 p.m. at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor. Family and friends may also gather on Monday, Aug. 30, at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 673 Ellington Road, South Windsor. The Mass will be livestreamed as well. Burial will be private at the request of his family. Guests are asked to please observe social distancing, wear a face mask, and dress business casual.

As a life-long advocate of mental health, memorial donations may be made to National Alliance of Mental Health,

www.nami.org

and sign up to support the National Institute of Mental Health,

www.nimh.nih.gov.

For online condolences, the Mass livestream link, and directions, please visit:

www.carmonfuneralhome.com