John Mansfield Kiely

John Mansfield Kiely, a devoted physician, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2025, at the age of 85. Born on January 1, 1940 to the late John Kiely and LaVive Quinton Kiely, John led a life of service, compassion, and dedication to his family, his friends, and his community.
A proud San Franciscan, John was raised on Clara St in SF's South of Market neighborhood. He graduated from Saint Ignatius College Prep in 1958 before earning his undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco in 1962. He pursued his medical education at Creighton University Medical School, graduating in 1968. His medical training took him to Kansas City General Hospital, where he completed his internship and first-year surgical residency (1969).
Answering the call to serve, John joined the U.S. Navy as a physician from 1970 to 1973. Following his military service, he completed his orthopedic residency at St. Francis Hospital Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois (1973–1976). He then practiced as an orthopedic surgeon at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara, California (1976–1980), before establishing his private practice in Watsonville, California in 1981. For over two decades, he provided exceptional and compassionate care at Watsonville Community Hospital until his retirement in 2003.
Aside from his medical career, John's greatest pride was his family. He married Claire Barrett Kiely in 1978, and together they raised three children-Jay, Jeff, and Christine-instilling in them the same values of hard work, humor, and generosity that defined his life. After Claire's passing in 1994, John found love again with Jacqueline (Jackie) Marquis Kiely, whom he married in 1997. Their partnership brought him immense joy, and Jackie remained his devoted companion until his final days.
John is survived by his wife, Jackie; his children, Jay Kiely (Jessica) and their children, Jack and Declan of Redwood City; Jeff Kiely (Jackie) and their children, Teagan and Cooper of San Jose; and Christine Morris (Kai) and their children, Gavin, Owen, and Dylan of Escondido. He is also survived by his brothers, Philip Kiely and Michael (Kristine) Kiely, and his sisters, Fawn Evenson, Anastasia Fink, and Tony Kiely, as well as several loving nieces and nephews. Though we mourn his loss, we celebrate the profound difference he made in all our lives.
The service and rosary will be held on Thursday, August 7th, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the rosary starting at 6:00 PM, at Mehl's Colonial Chapel (222 E. Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA 95076). A funeral mass will follow on Friday, August 8th, at 11:00 AM at Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church (527 Corralitos Rd, Corralitos, CA 95076).
John's legacy of selflessness, humor, and love will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in John's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church (Corralitos, CA), or to a charity of your choice.