Robert T. Kelly

1927 - 2022

Robert T. Kelly, a lifelong resident of Jessup, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of Friday, June 10. He is survived by his wife, the former Rose Marie Simoncelli. Bob and Rose Marie celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Sept. 15, 2021.

Bob was born on March 31, 1927, to the late Edward James Kelly and Agnes Colette Gildea Kelly. He attended Jessup High School while learning life's most important lessons in the pool halls of Jessup and Olyphant. In January of 1945, at the age of 17 and just five months before he would have graduated as valedictorian of his high school class, Bob was awarded an early diploma in exchange for enlisting in the United States Navy. Bob took a gamble on a Duration-of-War enlistment because it offered him the only possible chance of ever attending college. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1946, he enrolled at Lackawanna Business College and used his 18 months of G.I. Bill tuition benefits and his 52-20 Club Veterans stipend to obtain an associate degree in accounting while earning a double purple medal for attaining the top rank in his class.

In 1954, he began a 14-year career as a revenue agent with the Internal Revenue Service in Scranton, rising to serve as the chief of the Audit Branch. During this time, he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and an MBA, both from the University of Scranton's Evening College, studying at night while working during the day and raising four young children with Rose Marie. He graduated at the top of his class in both programs. He was elated when the University of Scranton awarded him an honorary doctorate degree in 1993.

In 1968, at the age of 41, Bob left the IRS to embark on a 35-year career as a CPA, first with his friend and mentor, Robert N. Eckersley, and later as the head of his own firm, Robert T. Kelly & Company. His initiative, his integrity, his intelligence, his tireless work ethic and his sheer determination to succeed made him a trusted friend and advisor to thousands of clients.

His client base included a wide range of successful and highly colorful entrepreneurs. He took great pride in the success his clients achieved with his advice and guidance. His business travels took him to Cold-War Eastern Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia, with more than 75 stops in Hawaii. Although Bob traveled the world on a frequent basis, he was most comfortable at home in Jessup with his family and his beloved pool table (his fifth child).

Bob's affiliation with the late Harry Weinberg afforded an opportunity to view the world through a different lens and to shape the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation's philanthropic vision. In his role as a Weinberg Foundation trustee, Bob helped bring significant charitable grants to organizations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. With the guidance of his friend Msgr. Andrew McGowan, Bob helped secure seed funding for the Commission on Economic Opportunity's Weinberg Regional Food Bank.

Bob was an active member and director of many organizations, including the Jessup Lions Club, Mercy Hospital, the First National Banks of Jessup and Jermyn, and Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin and Matson Navigation.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Rose Marie, whose tireless devotion helped him to live independently at their homes (old and new). Bob is also survived by his four children, Timothy P. Kelly (wife, Vivian) of Waverly; Mary Louise Kelly of Vienna, Austria; Patricia Kelly Holmes, MD (husband, Patrick) of South Bend, Ind.; and Robert T. Kelly Jr. (wife, Margaret) of Clarks Green; 10 grandchildren: Timothy P. Kelly Jr. (Jacqueline Ryan), Matthew C. Kelly (wife, Francesca), Kelly Holmes Gorski (husband, Daniel), G. Patrick Holmes (wife, Victoria), Christopher J. Holmes, Mary Kathleen Holmes, Kielty Holmes, Peter E. Kelly, Kevin E. Kelly and Claire Curtin Kelly; six great-grandchildren, Patrick, James, Peter and William Gorski, and Matteo and Giulia Kelly; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, Eugene, Edwin and Joseph Kelly; by his sisters-in law, Alice Vanston, Anita Lesho and Marie Kelly; and by his brother-in-law, George Lesho.

Bob's family would like to extend special thanks to the many friends and family members who provided support and companionship during the final years of his life. The Kelly family expresses its deepest gratitude to Bob's longtime friend, Gary Cicerini, who visited Bob each week to share a Honey-Baked Ham box lunch (the true source of his longevity). Gary's loyalty and devotion set a new standard for friendship.

The Kelly family would also like to express its gratitude to the health care providers and caregivers who made Bob's final years comfortable and meaningful, including Dr. Thomas M. Roe, Dr. Stephen G. Jaditz, Dr. John A. Doherty, Dr. Jerry Jordan and Dr. Randall Peairs; caregivers Kim, Christine, Donna B., Diane, Liza, Donna K., Kristen, Melissa, Kiki, Tammy, Liza and Theresa; Mari, Stacie and the entire staff at the Pines; and many others who provided round-the-clock assistance to Bob and Rose Marie. Special thanks go out to Laura Marion and her outstanding team at Allied Services Hospice.

The Rev. John M. Lapera will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Gregory, 330 North Abington Road, Clarks Green, PA 18411. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home, 511 Church St., Jessup, PA 18434, and again on Saturday, June 18 at St. Gregory's Church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Commission on Economic Opportunity's Weinberg Food Bank, 165 Amber Lane, Wilkes-Barre PA 18702.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Louis M. Margotta Funeral Home of Jessup. Anyone attending the funeral is asked to go directly to the church.