Joseph S. Kelley Sr.

STEWARTSTOWN – Joseph S. Kelley, Sr., 77, of Stewartstown, died on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at the home of his daughter in Barton, Vt., with his wife and daughter by his side and after a long period of declining health.

Joe was born in Malden, Mass., on Sept. 29, 1948, a son to the late Thomas M. and Dorothy (Daly) Kelley, Jr. He was raised in Malden and was a 1967 graduate of Malden High School. After school, Joseph worked in the electrical field as member of his local IBEW union, rising to the position of vice president later in his career. He also served for six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

For many years, Joe and his wife traveled to "camp" in the north country. Once Marie retired from her career, they made the move north and made their spot on North Hill their permanent home. Joe enjoyed hunting and other north country sports. He often said that "one's greatest gift to give a child is your time," and he lived by that every day, cherishing time with his grandchildren. His faith was also very important to him and he was a faithful communicant at St. Brendan's Catholic Church.

One thing that Joe did every day, for more than 30 years, was go for a walk with his beloved dog(s). Regardless of the weather, it was one thing he did each and every day.

Joe leaves behind his beloved wife of more than 56 years, Marie (Valley) Kelley of Stewartstown; his daughter, Jennifer (David) Doucet of Barton, Vt.; his siblings, William Kelley of Woburn, Mass., Thomas (Irene) Kelley III of Brimfield, Mass., Robert (Suzanne) Kelley of Tuftonboro, N.H., Catherine Kelley of Chester, N.H., and Mary (Keith) Adams of Stoneham, Mass.; six grandchildren, David Doucet, Marissa LaCruz, Rebecca Doucet, Annabelle Doucet, Marley Doucet and Willow Doucet; and four great-grandchildren, Jasper Stone, Aurora, Atticus and Finn LaCruz.

He is predeceased by his son, Joseph S. Kelley, Jr., in 2010, and a brother as a child, John Kelley.

There are no public calling hours. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Brendan's Catholic Church in Colebrook. A graveside interment will be later in the year at St. Brendan's Cemetery, of which notice will be given.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Kelley may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at www.stjude.org.

Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.