Arthur J. Kelley

Arthur J. Kelley, of Cumberland, age 90, died after a brief illness at St. Antonne's Rehabilitation Home in North Smithfield. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Matthew and Margaret Ferns Kelley. His childhood years were spent on ballfields, ice ponds, at the RI Auditorium, where he, his brothers and friends would go as early as 4 AM to flood and squeegee the ice to play hockey.
Arthur attended Hope High School where he was selected All-State for his performance as a goal tender. He joined the Coast Guard during the Korean War and used to say he kept New England safe by being stationed in Boston and New Bedford. He met and married the only woman he ever loved, Katharine Kennedy Beagan, instantly becoming one of the Beagan Boys in the process. They were happily married for almost 67 years. Art and Kay moved to Pawtucket, purchased a home, and set off to start a family and eventually raise his five sons. Arthur joined the Pawtucket Police Department, eventually becoming a detective helping to solve dozens of major cases and earning commendations and awards from the National Fraternal Order of Police and the city of Pawtucket. Arthur was elected president of the local FOP in 1971 and served his fellow officers with distinction. He retired in 1981 and went on to work at St. Teresa's Parish and as both school custodian and sexton. Father Paquette, the pastor, said that he held that church together with elbow grease and duct tape. He finally retired for real and moved to North Smithfield, Bristol and finally to Cumberland. Art and Kay loved to travel and took frequent trips to Las Vegas, Florida, Nova Scotia, The Cape and The White Mountains. The trip of their lives was visiting Ireland and his mother's birthplace.
In his free time, Art would coach each of his five sons on baseball fields and the hockey rink. He would attend as many games as possible, including his sons and grandchildren's contests on the soccer pitch, baseball fields, field hockey and ice rinks around Southern New England. Even at 90, his favorite place was at the ice rinks watching Mary and Noah play hockey.
Art was predeceased by his brothers, Matthew J. Kelley, Robert F. Kelley and his son, Robert P. Kelley.
Art is survived by his beloved wife, Katharine K. Kelley (Beagan) of Cumberland, his sons Arthur (Jay) Kelley and his wife Bonnie of Rehoboth, Michael T. Kelley of North Providence, John P. Kelley and his husband, Mark Shea of North Providence, and James M. Kelley of Lincoln. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Heather L. Keisling of Rehoboth, Heidi B. Hopkins and her husband Justin of Lincoln, Andrew J. Kelley and his wife Meghan of Kingston, NH, Hayleigh Kelley of Cranston, Mary and Noah Kelley of Lincoln. His brother, Joseph and his wife Elenaora of Lincoln, Art also had four great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be Friday, April 21, 2023 from 4 to 7 PM from Monahan, Drabble, Sherman Funeral Home 210 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on April 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM at The Holy Name of Jesus 99 Camp Street Providence, RI. The burial will be private.