Dennis Patrick Kelly

Dennis Patrick Kelly August 26, 1927 - April 16, 2008 Dennis Patrick Kelly, Bellflower resident since 1969, died Wednesday, April 16 at 80 years of age. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patricia Ann (O'Shea) Kelly and a loving, devoted clan of four children, Mary Catherine (Douglas Wilber), Dennis Joseph, Patsy Rose (Daniel Teuton), David Edward; three cherished grandchildren, Emma and Adair Teuton, Owen Patrick Wilber; sister, Mary Gri esser (Ernest); brother, Thomas Kelly (Mary); sister Patricia Zilink (Raymond); beloved nieces and nephews, and long-time friends and neighbors. Dennis was dearly loved and relied upon; absence of his wisdom, companionship, whimsical Irish wit, unique sense of humor, and twinkling blue eyes, will forever leave a void in our hearts, though we are comforted in knowing he is now together with our precious infant son and brother, John Patrick. Dennis was born in Philadelphia, moving to Long Beach in the early 4 0's when his dad was in the Navy. The Kelly's spent summers in Wildwood, NJ, where they operated Kelly's Rooms, with Dennis serving as first mate on his father's fishing boat, the Denny K. Following his 1946 graduation from Jordan High School, Dennis served in the United States Navy in Hawaii. After receiving his AA from Long Beach City College, and BA from California State University Fresno, Dennis was awarded the Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. As a long-time member of St. Dominic Savio in Bellflower, Dennis proudly served five years as Scoutmaster of the parish's Boy Scout Troop. In 1991, Dennis retired from the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland's Los Angeles Branch. Pops enjoyed camping, fishing, writing letters to his children and grandchildren, reading, gardening, cheering on Notre Dame, rambunctious card games, reading the obits, trouncing his sons and sons-in-law at Bocce ball, 7:30 phone calls to "baby sister Patsy", front porch libations, and Saints-51Reunions. Dennis cherishe d family gatherings-most memorably celebrating his 80th birthday last summer at his son's home in Colorado. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 10:00 a.m., St. Dominic Savio Church, Bellflower Blvd. & Foster Road, Bellflower. Interment immediately following at All Souls Cemetery, Long Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Fairview Developmental Center, Attention: Volunteer Services, 2501 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, in honor of his beloved niece, Debbie Zilink. "Up the Irish!" (Dennis P. Kelly)