OBITUARY: Korean War Veteran John Joseph Kelly, 87, of Melbourne, Passed Away Jan. 25

After John's service in the Marine Corps, he took over his father's milk delivery business

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – John Joseph “JJ” Kelly, Jr. passed away on January 25, 2022, at the age of 87. John was born in New York City on December 26, 1934. His family moved to Teaneck New Jersey where he was raised. He was raised in a big Irish family with six brothers and sisters.

Growing up he enjoyed sports and in high school won the wrestling state championship for his weight class. After high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps serving in Korea during the war.

He remained a marine until his last day. After his service in the Marine Corps, he took over his father’s milk delivery business. He married June (Spinelli) and they had two sons: John Joseph, III, and James. John moved to Florida and held several jobs including owning a car repair shop in Cocoa.

His brother Phil introduced him to his lifelong career as a sheet metal mechanic. He worked in construction for years doing the sheet metal work on condominiums and even the nuclear plant on Hutchinson Island. He was hired by Pan Am at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a job he loved for over 25 years.

He enjoyed the flight benefits of traveling to Hawaii, Australia, and many other locations. He was a proud union member of TWU, Local 525 rising to the position of Shop Steward. Divorced, John married Jean (White) and they had a son Peter Paul.

John loved Florida and enjoyed the beach, the sun, Disney resorts, and much more. John retired from the Cape and enjoyed his golden years until his health declined.

He was preceded in death by his father John, Sr., Mother Francis (Kinken), beloved son Peter, brothers Doug (Marlene and Joan), Bob (Marlene), Phil and Michael (Peggy), his beloved sister Marlene (Croonquist) (Donald), stepson Kenneth (Michele), and great-nephew Matthew.

He is survived by his sons John Joseph, III, and James and three grandchildren, his sister Judy (Driggers) and her husband Ray, sister-in-law Janet (Kelly), and many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on January 31 at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge, FL, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on February 1, at Ascension Catholic Church, Melbourne, FL at 11 a.m.

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