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October 11, 2023
Services
Funeral Services will be held on Monday 10/16/2023 at the Chapel at Cedar Crest, Cedar Crest Village Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm, followed immediately by a memorial service.
Charles W. Kelly, age 90, of Cedar Crest, NJ passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023, peacefully in his sleep, just weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday.
Charlie was born to Maude and William Kelly of Orange, NJ. After he graduated from Montclair State College, he continued his higher education at Brooklyn College, New York University, and Columbia with Graduate Studies in recreation.
Mr. Kelly will be remembered locally as the beloved Director of Parks and Recreation of Wayne, NJ, where he was instrumental in starting many community programs, and developed a sense of family within the department. These programs continue today, helping Wayne to become recognized as one of New Jersey’s best places to live.
Charlie proudly served in the US Marines from 1951-54 as a Staff Sargent and a Flight Crew Chief. He was a decorated Korean War Veteran receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his heroic and distinguished service. He was the sole survivor of an airplane crash, and walked across enemy lines, at night, for almost two weeks before being rescued by Turkish forces.
Charlie was loving, caring, and devoted to his family. He always had a great sense of humor, and never missed a chance to good-naturedly poke fun at friends and family. He enjoyed golf, tennis, boating, and spending time in Lake Bomoseen, Vermont. He loved playing bocce with his team, “The Mighty Geezers”, with his wife, and friends. He held court wherever he was at Cedar Crest, and knew almost everyone, staff included, by first name.
He is predeceased by his parents, William and Maude, and his brother, William. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Joan Kelly, his daughters, Joyce Kardux and Jo Ann Bigsby, his son Rick Kelly, their spouses, his stepsons John and Jim Wickes, stepdaughter, Jennifer Ullman, and their spouses, thirteen grandchildren, and his former wife.
Donations can be made to the United States Marine Corps Wounded Warriors.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday 10/16/2023 at the Chapel at Cedar Crest, Cedar Crest Village Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm, followed immediately by a memorial service.
October 11, 2023
Services
Funeral Services will be held on Monday 10/16/2023 at the Chapel at Cedar Crest, Cedar Crest Village Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm, followed immediately by a memorial service.
Charles W. Kelly, age 90, of Cedar Crest, NJ passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023, peacefully in his sleep, just weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday.
Charlie was born to Maude and William Kelly of Orange, NJ. After he graduated from Montclair State College, he continued his higher education at Brooklyn College, New York University, and Columbia with Graduate Studies in recreation.
Mr. Kelly will be remembered locally as the beloved Director of Parks and Recreation of Wayne, NJ, where he was instrumental in starting many community programs, and developed a sense of family within the department. These programs continue today, helping Wayne to become recognized as one of New Jersey’s best places to live.
Charlie proudly served in the US Marines from 1951-54 as a Staff Sargent and a Flight Crew Chief. He was a decorated Korean War Veteran receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his heroic and distinguished service. He was the sole survivor of an airplane crash, and walked across enemy lines, at night, for almost two weeks before being rescued by Turkish forces.
Charlie was loving, caring, and devoted to his family. He always had a great sense of humor, and never missed a chance to good-naturedly poke fun at friends and family. He enjoyed golf, tennis, boating, and spending time in Lake Bomoseen, Vermont. He loved playing bocce with his team, “The Mighty Geezers”, with his wife, and friends. He held court wherever he was at Cedar Crest, and knew almost everyone, staff included, by first name.
He is predeceased by his parents, William and Maude, and his brother, William. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Joan Kelly, his daughters, Joyce Kardux and Jo Ann Bigsby, his son Rick Kelly, their spouses, his stepsons John and Jim Wickes, stepdaughter, Jennifer Ullman, and their spouses, thirteen grandchildren, and his former wife.
Donations can be made to the United States Marine Corps Wounded Warriors.
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