Frederic J. Kelley Jr. Obituary
Mr. Frederic J. Kelley Jr., 86, of Mendon MA, died Saturday (July 9, 2022) at the Milford Regional Medical Center after an illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret M. (McEleney) Kelley who died in 2013.
Fred was born in Everett MA, the son of the late Frederic J. Kelley and the late Katherine R. (McCusker) Kelley. He attended Everett MA public schools and was a graduate of Everett High School, Class of 1954.
Fred was a US Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served from 1954 to 1956.
Following his military service in the US Army he was employed as a police officer and later detective for Everett Police Department, serving from 1957 to 1973. He received over 30 commendations for investigative work over the span of his career.
Upon retirement from the Everett Police Department, he and his late wife Margaret (Peggy) established Kelley Consultants, located in Mendon MA, which eventually became Kelley & Ryan Associates, where he served as a Deputy Tax Collector for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Fred also owned & operated Kelley Green Acres, a Morgan horse farm, located in Mendon MA. Over the years he had served as Vice President of the New England Morgan Horse Association, member of the Board of Directors and along with Peggy, was inducted into its Hall of Fame.
Fred served his Mendon community as a member of the Mendon Board of Selectmen, serving multiple terms. He was a longtime active member of the Mendon Lions Club serving as King Lion and Chairing the Mendon Country Fair. He was also a proud member of the "Hundred Club", member of the Knights of Columbus, past President of the Collectors Association and served as Commander of the VFW Post in Everett MA. The town of Mendon recognized his lifetime commitment to volunteering by honoring him as its Senior Citizen of the Year for 2019.
He was a fixture at horse shows, sporting events, family holidays and town events. He was a trusted advisor and mentor to all who knew him.
Fred is survived by his 4 Children: Maggie Hood of Mendon MA; Erin M., wife of Laurence Sabean of Mendon MA; Dr. Frederic J. Kelley III and his wife Michelle of Portsmouth RI and Daniel P. Kelley of North Smithfield RI; his 9 Grandchildren: Megan, wife of Jeffrey Caruso of Upton MA; Kelley, wife of Thomas Baratta of Mount Pleasant SC; Anne, wife of William Weiand of Hudson NH; Timothy Sabean and his wife Stephanie of Holly Ridge NC; Ryan Kelley and his wife Erica of Middletown RI; Colin Kelley of Quincy MA; Caitlin Kelley of Newport RI; Brendan Kelley and his wife Chelsea of Sutton MA and Hannah Kelley of Shrewsbury MA; his 5 Great Grandchildren: Justin Baratta of Mount Pleasant SC; Benjamin Caruso of Upton MA; Jack Caruso of Upton MA; Blakely Kelley of Middletown RI and Cameron Kelley of Sutton MA.
Fred is also survived by his 2 Sisters: Katherine Furey of Natick MA and Maureen, wife of Robert Durant of Melrose MA; his 2 Sisters-in-law: Ann MacKay of Bangor ME and Barbara, wife of Roger Barnes of Burlington MA; he was also the father-in-law of Leslie Kelley of Shrewsbury MA; also survived by many nieces & nephews.
Fred was the brother of the late John Kelley; the late Robert Kelley; the late Paul Kelley and the late Henry Kelley. He was also the brother-in-law of the late John MacKay, the late John Furey and the father-in-law of the late William Hood.
His funeral will be held Saturday (July 16th) at 11am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 NOON in St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, 151 Mendon Street, Upton MA. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow in Swan Dale Cemetery in Mendon MA. Visiting hours will be held Friday (July 15th) from 5pm to 8pm at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, 151 Mendon Street, Upton MA 01568 Attention: Church Debt Reduction Fund.
