CROMWELL — Richard J. Kelley, 88, husband of Lorraine (Telles) Kelley, died peacefully on Dec. 31, 2020, at Middlesex Hospital.
Richard was born on Sept. 23, 1932, in Waterbury, a son of the late Richard J. and Margaret (Quinn) Kelley, and grew up in the Union City section of Naugatuck. Richard graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1951, and from 1952-1956, he served honorably in the U.S. Air Force with duty in Okinawa, Japan, and the Philippines. Richard graduated from Bryant College in 1958 with a BS in accounting. He worked as an accountant for local government and wholesale grocery and was an office manager in a jewelry store. He retired from the UConn Health Center, after working 25 years as an assistant controller and a director of auxiliary services.
Richard’s hobbies included golf, reading, remote control airplanes and sailboats. He enjoyed boating and traveling but most of all spending time with his family. He was most thankful for marrying Lorraine, the love of his life, and for raising four fantastic kids, Richard, David, Stephen and Karen. Richard’s wish and hope for all of his family and friends is happiness in life and prosperity.
In addition to Lorraine, his loving wife of 65 years, Richard is survived by his sons, Richard J. Kelley Jr. of Simsbury, David W. Kelley of Mahtomedi, Minn., and Stephen J. Kelley of Peoria, Ariz.; his daughter, Karen (Kelley) Misbach; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his grandparents, Richard and Maryann Kelley and James Quinn; his sister, Margaret Marshall; his brother, Robert Kelley and his wife, Patricia Fitzgerald; and his nephew, Robert Kelley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck. Those attending are asked to please meet directly at church. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck. There are no calling hours, and arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck. Everyone attending Richard’s services is required to wear a facial covering and to adhere to social distancing requirements.
To honor Richard’s memory donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
