Dennis Bernard Kelly

1944 - 2024

Dennis Bernard Kelly

April 9, 1944 - December 27, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky - A loving, kind, and devoted family man and friend who was a role model to many and a supportive presence in the lives of countless others, Dr. Dennis Bernard Kelly passed away peacefully on December 27, 2024 at the age of 80.

Born on Easter Sunday April 9, 1944 in Bay Shore NY, Dennis was the oldest son of Bernard Kelly and Elizabeth Cavanagh Kelly. Dennis attended Chaminade High School in Mineola NY; College of the Holy Cross in Worcester MA; and SUNY Downstate Medical School, Brooklyn NY. He completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York City and his Fellowship in Cardiology at the University of Kentucky. During this time, he also served six years during the Vietnam War in the Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Captain.

Dennis was a co-founding partner of Cardiology Associates of Lexington In 1974 where he worked until he retired. Dennis was a founding member of the Lexington Chapter of the American Heart Association and the Mended Hearts; was instrumental in starting Lexington's Paramedic Program; and served as President of the Lexington Medical Society and the St. Joseph's Hospital Medical Staff. Dennis formed many special relationships with his patients, colleagues and others with whom he worked over the years.

Dennis met Pamela Tullock in New York City at St. Vincent's Hospital, where she worked as a nurse. They married on February 10, 1970, first living in Greenwich Village, NY and then moving to Lexington, KY where they raised their daughters, Erin and Megan. In 2007, after Dennis retired, they began to spend half the year in Naples FL.

Dennis was an avid reader and a lifelong passionate learner. He enjoyed traveling, sailing, fishing, golf, tennis, skiing, and playing piano and accordion; watching entire NFL football games on Sundays with his grandson in Baltimore over FaceTime, and reenacting scenes from Barbie movies and recording songs with his granddaughters. Above all else, Dennis was a man devoted to his family.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Pam, his daughters, Erin (John) Hamill and Megan (Kritis) Dasgupta, his beloved grandchildren, Allison (Alex) Burden, Caitlin Hamill, and Alexander "Xander" Dasgupta. His first great grandson, Daniel Paul Burden, was born September 1, 2024, whom he met in November. He is also survived by his sister, Eileen (Richard) Henning, and his brothers, Thomas Kelly and Kevin (Cindy) Kelly.

He was predeceased by his parents and sister-in-law, Deborah Kelly.

Visitation will be held at the Milward Funeral Home (1509 Trent Blvd, Lexington, KY 40515) from 6pm-8pm on Friday, January 10, with a prayer vigil beginning at 7:30pm. A funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Cathedral (299 Colony Blvd, Lexington, KY 40502) on Saturday, January 11 at 1pm, followed by a graveside service at Lexington Cemetery (833 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40508, Garden of Rest, Section 47).

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.