Joseph Ignatius Kelly

1930 - 2024

Joseph Ignatius Kelly
03/11/1930 - 11/26/2024
Joseph Ignatius Kelly, a proud third generation San Franciscan, born of Irish heritage, passed away peacefully at the age of 94, surrounded by his family. His nephew, Monsignor John Talesfore, had just finished leading the family in a rosary when in a moment of profound grace-just as his beloved late wife, Cynthia, had done 9 years before him-Mr. Kelly drew his last breath while his loving children and grandchildren prayed around his bedside. Irish music played softly, and the dome of City Hall was emblazoned bright green.
Joe Kelly was born on March 11, 1930 to Dennis and Mary Kelly. In his early years, he lived on Pine Street with his cherished sister Mary Ellen. Just above the Kelly flat, the Allen sisters ran a boarding home. He took instantly to their loving kindness, and he delighted in meeting a grand collection of colorful souls who had just arrived in America to fulfill their dreams. He spoke often of those early years. The family then moved to the Richmond District, and he was a proud graduate of San Francisco's finest Catholic Schools including St. Monica's, where he met lifelong best friends and mischief-makers Harold Caulfield, Joe Desmond, Phil Siggins, Jack Shea, Eddie Powell, Matt Ashe, Al Smyth and Al Williams. Like his father before him, he attended St. Ignatius College Prep, where he played on the first Bruce Mahoney championship basketball team. A lifelong basketball enthusiast and dedicated mentor, Joe coached future basketball stars at Star of the Sea, for CYO, and in nearly every San Francisco neighborhood working as a park director for the SF Rec and Park. He graduated from the University of San Francisco and served in the Korean War in the Intelligence Unit of the Army Security Agency.
Joe graduated from Hastings College of the Law in 1958 and was an active member of the California State Bar for well over 50 years. His distinguished legal career included service in the California Attorney General's Office, in PG&E's law department and in private practice. He argued cases before the California Court of Appeal and the California Supreme Court. Joe served on the SF Public Utilities Commission and Social Services Commission, and provided counsel to San Francisco Mayors Jack Shelley, Joe Alioto, Dianne Feinstein, George Moscone and Willie Brown. He co-chaired numerous political campaigns, including for his father-in-law, Governor Pat Brown and brother-in-law Governor Jerry Brown, the presidential campaigns of Robert F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, as well as local campaigns for Diane Feinstein, Jack Ertola and John Burton. He served as a delegate to several Democratic National Conventions.
Joe married the love of his life Cynthia on January 24, 1957 at St. Cecilia's Church and enjoyed 58 years of love, laughter, and song with his beautiful bride. He is the revered father of five children, the adored "Papa" of eleven grandchildren, and a role model for his four sons in law. He treasured his daily visits from family.
Joe was incredibly proud of his Irish heritage and became an Irish citizen. He shared his love for Ireland with his children and grandchildren, bringing them on several trips to meet "the relations." The Kelly family shared brilliant times with cousins who he loved dearly - O'Scannaill's, Casey's, Lucey's and McCarthy's. Without even realizing it, he often spoke in a brogue.
Joe is survived by his five children: Judge Kathleen Kelly, Joseph I. Kelly Jr., Carol Clark, Patricia Kelly Carlin, and Cynthia Sheehan; his sons-in-law Kevin Holl, Andrew Clark, Dennis Carlin, and Patrick Sheehan; and his eleven grandchildren: Kaitlin and Claire Holl, Joseph I. Kelly III, Andrew (Julianne) and Emily Clark, Dennis, Cynthia, and Bernard Carlin, and Kelly, Patrick, and Kevin Sheehan. He was the son of the late Dennis and Mary Kelly, brother of the late Mary Ellen Talesfore, and son-in-law of the late Governor Edmund G. (Pat) Brown and Bernice Brown. He is also survived by his brothers- and sisters-in-law Barbara Casey, Governor Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr. (Anne Gust), Kathleen Brown (Van Gordon Sauter), many beloved nieces and nephews, godchildren and more dear friends than one could ever name.
Joe Kelly lived a life of faith, family, and friendship. He was full of love. He will be remembered for his kindness, humility, integrity, and most of all, sense of humor. Whether he was quoting W.C. Fields, Noel V. Ginnity, or his political genius pal John Monaghan, Joe told the best Irish jokes. As he often said, quoting from the Last Hurrah: How in the world do you thank a man for a million laughs?
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Avenue, in San Francisco on Friday, December 6 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hanna Center at: (707) 996-6767 or San Francisco CYO at 415-972-1200.