John Colonel Kealy

JOHN COLONEL KEALY, age 81. Passed away March 9, 2026 with his family by his side after a brave struggle with Parkinson's Disease and other ailments, keeping his sense of humor to the end. John was born in Cleveland to Marian Ward Kealy and Jack Kealy, who ran Kealy Trucking Company. John worked at the company during his years at Gilmour Academy and Georgetown University, taking over the trucking business at age 21, two months into law school, when his father died. He graduated from CWRU Law School, combining a law practice with his responsibilities to Kealy Trucking.

John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carole Frode Kealy; his children, Christine Spence (Jonah), Kevin (Jennifer), Peter (Clare), and Elizabeth; eight grandchildren: Josiah, Matthew, Elijah, Samuel, Emma, Charlie, Gannon and Kate; and his sister, Kay Ford (Kevin).

In lieu of flowers, John's family would appreciate contributions to the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, 1223 W 6th St., Cleveland, OH 44113 or Our Lady of Peace Church, 12601 Shaker Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44120.

Funeral Mass Monday April 6, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of the Gesu. The Mass will be live streamed on the funeral home website. Interment private, Calvary Cemetery.

John would say, as his closing argument, that each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus.