Henry Kelley Jr.

1942 - 2017

Henry L. Kelley, Jr.

WHITINSVILLE - Henry L. Kelley, Jr., 74, of Whitinsville passed away Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Lake Ave., Worcester.

Henry was the son of the late Henry L. Kelley, Sr. (formerly of Blackstone, MA) and the late Alice C. (Forcier) Kelley (formerly of Woonsocket, RI). He was born in Whitinsville on October 27, 1942. He leaves his partner of 20 years, Michael Eagan of Grafton, a daughter, Christina Connolly and her husband Barry of Worcester, sons Andrew Kelley of Grafton and David Kelley and his wife Jonina of Yellow Springs, OH, stepdaughter Taylor Eagan of Westborough, stepson Bram Eagan of Westborough, grandchildren Benjamin, Shane, Arabella and Liliana, sister Alice Prince and her husband David of Richmond, VT, four nephews, and his mother-in-law Margaret Eagan. He also leaves dear lifelong friends Lacie and Michael Castagnaro, Catherine Schwartz, Adele Stock, and his beloved dog, Luna.

Mr. Kelley grew up, attended school, married, raised his children and lived most of his life in Whitinsville. He was a graduate of Worcester State Teachers College in 1964, and earned an MA in English at Assumption College in 1972. He taught English for three years at Uxbridge High School and then at Hopedale Jr.-Sr. High School for thirty-six years before retiring in 2003. He participated in a variety of extra-curricular activities, among them serving as a class advisor and play director, as well as the school's yearbook advisor for over twenty years. He also co-coordinated and supervised a number of cultural tours to European countries for students, trips from which he derived immense joy. For a period after his retirement, he worked as a consultant for a private company affiliated with the Massachusetts Board of Education evaluating and advising people who had made career changes into public education and needed assistance in obtaining state certification. A former student summed up his legendary reputation as "the teacher everyone dreaded having, but by the end of the year, you were so glad you did."

He had many passions and talents including long-distance running, kayaking, swimming, and skiing, as well as restoring furniture, playing piano, writing, and reading. He especially enjoyed summers at his beach home, Rosemont-by-the-Sea in Narragansett, RI, where he was well-known for his beautiful gardens.

Despite prolonged health issues, he embraced living and made the most of every day, never doing anything halfway. He had a wonderful irreverent sense of humor and the spirit of an artist. He loved, and was loved, by many, and will be greatly missed.

His life will be celebrated at a private gathering of his family and friends, where his wish to have his ashes scattered into the sea will be fulfilled. Arrangements are under the direction of the BUMA FUNERAL HOME, Whitinsville.

www.bumafuneralhome.com