Callan J. Kelly, 88, recently of Fort Worth, TX, died on Saturday morning, November 26, 2016. He previously resided in Hoosick Falls, NY and North Haven, CT.
Born on November 23, 1928 in West Haven, CT, Cal was a son of the late Joseph J. and Violet B. Kelly. He attended schools there, including West Haven High School, and received his Connecticut State High School diploma in 1952.
A proud Korean War veteran, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1948, attained the rank of Sergeant, and was honorably discharged in 1952. While stationed in Japan during the war, he met his former wife, Nobu, with whom he had two children.
In 1976, Cal married Barbara (Travis) Martin, adopted her two daughters, and fostered dozens of children with Barb. The couple adopted a foster daughter, April, when they were in their 60’s.
Cal was a welder by trade; he retired in 1989 from his position as foreman at the Allegheny Ludlum Steel mill in Wallingford, CT. He and Barb purchased and renovated a farm house on thirty acres in Hoosick Falls in 1990. They greatly enjoyed entertaining family and friends in their retirement home.
Cal was an active member of the St. Stanislaw Society of Hoosick Falls and a life-long member of the NRA. He had a soft spot for animals and loved his dogs and the stray cats he tamed into household pets.
In addition to Barb, his wife of thirty-six years, whom he referred to as the light of his life, Cal was predeceased by two daughters, Catherine Kelly and Robin Sharp; his brother Phillip Kelly; and daughter-in-law Ingrid Kelly who helped care for him when he moved to Texas in 2013.
Cal is survived by his daughters Christina Kelly (Maude Rich) of North Adams, MA, April Kelly of Salem, NY, and Janet Bumstead (Frank) of Hamden, CT; son Steven Kelly of Fort Worth; sister Louise Bunnell of Bradenton, FL; grandsons David and Jonah Kelly-Whitney; step-granddaughters, Jacquline and Samantha Rich; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held at Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls on Saturday, December 3 from 12-2:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 4:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 51 Lois Street in North Adams and a meal of consolation. At a later time, a service will be held in Connecticut where Cal’s ashes will be interred. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research through Mahar Funeral Home or to the charity of your choice.
Christina and her family will welcome shiva visitors at their home at 24 Overlook Terrace, North Adams on Sunday beginning at 2:00 p.m. with shiva minyan at 6:30. Shiva will continue Monday through Thursday at 3:00 p.m. with minyan at 6:30.