Joseph M. Kelly

Dr. Joseph M. Kelly, 92, a long-time resident of Worcester and Yarmouthport, MA passed away peacefully at Notre Dame Healthcare surrounded by family on Sunday, April 3, 2022.
Joseph leaves behind his beloved wife, Jeanne Riordan Kelly, with whom he enjoyed 69 wonderful years of marriage, and their six children: Maureen Biddle of Manchester, NH; Elaine Gardella (Edward) of Worcester, MA; Rosemary Kelley (David) of Holliston, MA; Carol Johnson (Irvin) of Jacksonville, FL; Kathleen Fraser (Robert) of Princeton, MA; and Joseph M. Kelly, Jr. (Joanne) of Vienna, VA. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Alex, Benjamin, Nathaniel and Matthew Biddle; Carolyn and William (Megan) Schwartz; Michael, Ryan (Rachael) and Gavin Kelley; Deirdre Johnson; Julia Fraser Werther (Larry); James Fraser (Katie); and Conor and Anna Kelly and nine great-grandchildren. Finally, he leaves behind his brother-in-law, Michael Riordan and sister-in-law, Molly Kelly and generations of loved nieces and nephews with whom he was very close.
Joseph was born in Washington, DC on August 14, 1929, the first-born son of Dr. Joseph J. and Catherine Mahoney Kelly, at the Georgetown University Hospital where his father served as faculty member and eventually Dean of the Dental Surgery Clinic. He was predeceased by his sisters Mary Catherine (Kitty) Dohony, Anna Saunders, and his brother, James D. Kelly, MD. Raised in Washington, DC, he graduated from Gonzaga College High School. He received his undergraduate pre-dental education and dental degree from Georgetown University in 1953. Upon graduation he served three years of active duty at the US Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, VA where he completed his dental internship. He continued with his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Medicine and Boston City Hospital.
In 1959, Dr. Kelly entered into private practice in Worcester, MA. Within a few years, he had established a well-respected Oral Surgery office with his colleague Dr. Robert Iacovelli. He was highly regarded and well loved by both patients and his staff. He served as a mentor and handed down his practice to Dr. Laurie Manthos, with whom he remained a close friend and colleague. He served on the staff and as Chief of Dental Services at multiple local hospitals including St. Vincent, Hahnemann, Fairlawn, Holden, and Worcester City hospitals. In 1974 he was asked to establish a dental services clinic at the newly-formed University of Massachusetts Medical School Hospital. For seventeen years, he served as Chief of Dental and Oral Surgery Services there, as well as Associate Professor of Surgery on the UMass Medical School faculty
Professionally, Dr. Kelly enjoyed serving his community. He served on the Worcester Board of Health for ten years as Chairman of the Community Services Planning Council. He served as Chairman of the Board for Central Mass Health Care Foundation, one of the early HMO groups in Massachusetts. His professional appointments included President of the Worcester District Dental Society; President of the Massachusetts Dental Society, and President of the New England Society of Oral Surgery. One highlight in his years of service was in 1976 when as President of the Massachusetts Dental Society, he officiated the inauguration of the first Yankee
Dental Congress in Boston which continues to be one of the most attended dental conventions attracting participants worldwide.
Joseph's dedication to his profession and community was surpassed only by his devotion to and love for his family. He shared his love of the outdoors enjoying hiking, fishing, boating, skiing and camping trips with his children and grandchildren. He was a master storyteller and enjoyed sharing his knowledge and insights to any within earshot. He loved music and played keyboard, trombone, and guitar encouraging all to join in with singing.
He was an avid reader and a history buff with a special interest in American military history. After his retirement, Joseph and Jeanne moved to Cape Cod where they spent over 20 years taking courses, enjoying friendships, and relaxing. They enjoyed travel to Europe taking river cruises and exploring historic sites and culture. Winters were spent in St. Augustine, Florida where they enjoyed the company of lifelong friends and rounds of golf. His greatest joy, above all, was sharing in the lives of his continually expanding family and watching them grow. He will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he has touched.
The family is forever grateful for the support, kindness and care of Joseph's at-home personal caregivers, Ruth and Maria; his physicians Drs. Daniel Massarelli and Dr. David Lyons, and the wonderful supportive teams at Knollwood Nursing Center and Notre Dame Healthcare.
A period of calling hours will be held on Sunday, April 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Athy Funeral Home, 111 Lancaster Street, Worcester, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Immaculate Conception Church in Worcester on Monday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. with private burial to follow at St. John's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to a charity of your choice that you feel may bring joy to others.