John Thomas Kelly

1927 - 2017

John Thomas (Tom) Kelly

October 15, 1927 - March 12, 2017

John Thomas (Tom) KELLY of Orinda, California passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at the age of 89 at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, California. An ever-loving and devoted husband, Tom is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Aileen Moriarty Kelly; his children Dana Lee Sankey (Warren), Tom Kelly (Nora Orozco), Kevin Kelly, and Mary Kelly Allegrucci (J-D); his grandchildren Brian Lee (Lauren), Kelly Lee, and Katie Lee (Eric Wojciechowski), Jack Kelly, Sam Kelly, Emma Allegrucci, and Megan Kelly; his great-grandchildren Kingston Lee and Annaston Lee.

He is also survived by his brothers- and sisters-in-law Bill Ramirez (Dolores), Daniel (deceased) Moriarty (Elaine), John Moriarty, Steve Moriarty (Jane), Dennis Moriarty (Terry), Mary McCaffrey (Jack, deceased), Mike Moriarty (Dede), and Joe Moriarty (Carol), his Kelly cousins, and was a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his mother Margaret, native of Port Costa, California, and father Thomas Arthur, native of Ruan, County Clare, Ireland, his brother Jerry, and sisters Patsy Ramirez and Ann Young (Ray).

Also preceded in death by his mother- and father-in-law, Mary O'Connell Moriarty and Daniel Joseph Moriarty.

A native San Franciscan, Tom graduated from St. Vincent de Paul, St. Ignatius High School, and Santa Clara University, where he is an honored member of the SCU Athletic Hall of Fame.

Upon graduation, Tom signed with the New York Yankees and played three years of minor league baseball. After baseball, he went to work for Crown Zellerbach Corporation, rising to Sales Manager for the Consumer Products Division. Following the acquisition of Crown Zellerbach by James River Corporation, Tom retired from James River as Vice President of Sales.

Tom, a devout San Francisco 49'er and Giants fan, was also an avid golfer and longtime member of Orinda Country Club, where he was the Senior Golf Group Captain. Tom loved to read. He was an active member of the SIRS Branch #171. He volunteered his time in the Pastoral Care Ministry (visiting the infirmed) for the Church of Santa Maria.

Services will be held at the Church of Santa Maria, 40 Santa Maria Way, Orinda, California. Vigil to be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 11:00am. Reception immediately following at Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante, Orinda, California.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bannan Institute for Jesuit Education and Christian Values at Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053 or a charity of your choice.