Obituaries
John J. “Jack” Kelly, 62
John J. “Jack” Kelly, 62, of Lancaster, died on November 24, 2010 at Hospice of Lancaster County, surrounded by his beloved family after fighting a courageous 19 month battle with cancer. Jack was born in Lancaster to Marilyn R. Kelly of Lancaster and the late Leo F. Kelly. He was a 1966 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School where he was an outstanding musician. An award in his honor is still visible in the High School trophy case.
A young patriot, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force while still in high school. A Vietnam-era veteran, he earned numerous citations for his distinctive service including: the Vietnam Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. After his discharge, Jack enrolled at the Penn State University campus in Wilkes-Barre, PA. While there, he served as the General Manager of the campus radio station, President of the campus Broadcasting Club, contributing-editor of the campus newspaper, a member of the student council, and President/Director of the campus Drama Club. While still a student, he was recruited to join a local radio station and began a career in Broadcasting. In 1972, during Hurricane Agnes, Jack and a small team of reporters earned national recognition reporting around the clock while stranded in their third floor office building. They were the only source of information on the radio bandwidth reporting on the devastation to the outside world. Soon afterward, Jack became a local broadcaster when he was hired as News Director at WNOW/Q-106 in York. He also worked at WSBA in York and WLPA in Lancaster.
After moving to New York in 1976, he discovered his true passion, flying. Jack obtained his private and commercial license, plus instrument and multi-engine ratings. He was employed at Teterboro, NJ as a charter pilot and in night-time aerial advertising over New York City. He moved back to Lancaster in 1983. Here, he was a civic-minded community member who was a volunteer with the American Heart Association and the Lancaster United Way campaign. He also held past memberships with the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW, the Lancaster Traffic Club, the Sales & Marketing Club of Lancaster and the Riverside Club. In 1986, he married his beloved Lisa and raised three beautiful children: Genevieve Susan Zercher wife of Richard Zercher, Jr. of Lititz, Matthew John Kelly of Lancaster and Jillian Marie Kelly fiancé of Steven Hammerstone of Lancaster. He is also survived by his granddaughter Olivia and Genevieve’s expected daughter Erin, plus 7 brothers and sisters: Warren Stephen of Turin, Italy, Timothy James of Lincoln, NE, Anthony Paul of Lancaster, Theresa Marie of NYC, Leo Francis of Glendale, CA, Dr. Eleanor Marie of San Diego, CA, and Eileen Patrice of Norwalk, CT.
Friends will be received on Saturday, November 27, 2010 from 10-11AM at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA with the Funeral Service to follow at 11AM, the Rev. Joseph Hilbert officiating. Interment in Conestoga Memorial Park. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. To send an online condolence, please visit:SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr Funeral Home & Crematory, 717-560-5100
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
So long my best friend, I will miss you everyday. I know you are at peace now as I know you suffered. I’m sure that final flight was a smooth one since I know you were in the cock pit. You will forever be in my heart.
Uncle Jack – Florida misses you! I’m glad I had the opportunity to reconnect with you over the last 2 years. You will be missed, rest in peace Uncle Jack! My love, thoughts, and prayers go out to you and your family.
God Bless,
Kim Hall (Campbell)
Words can not express my heartfelt condolences to your family. I worked with Jack at GetMyHomesValue.com from 05-08. He brightened many days for me there. I hope that memories will fill your coming days & help heal you loss.
Warmest Regards,
Mary Dooley-Smith
I was honored to have had Jack in my life. Jack and I had many conversations about life and family. We were both a bit of saps when we would have our conversations but he told me many many times the love he had for his family. Matt, Jillian and Genevieve – Your father was so in love with you and so very proud you. He loved you with all his heart. It goes without saying how he felt about you Lisa as well. Your contributions helping Jack throughout this battle meant so very much to him and he told me of that many times. To the Kelly family…My deepest condolences and to Molly – Jack did make his peace with God and the Lord welcomed him into his heart. You are the cornerstone of a legacy of wonderful lineage. You are a very special person who has impacted my life as well. My family loved Jack as if he was a blood member and he did in fact become woven into the fabric of my family and will forever remain there. Jack – I’ll never forget the important times we spent and you’ve left a profound impact on my life. Go Cowboys forever, Pal ! I love you.
Jack was my very first "date" way back in seventh grade at St. Anthony’s grade school. Jack and I got a good laugh that after all these years we both remembered his "swivel shoes" that he wore to the dance. All the better to do "The Twist" in.
Jack was a dear person and I am so grateful that we were able to get back in touch with each other, in the past year, after all the years in between.
To Jack’s wife and extended family: Please accept my sincerest sympathy at the loss of your husband, father, friend, and grandfather. Jack was always such a down-to-earth guy and I marvel at all of his accomplishments over the years. Thank you for including them in his obituary. He was too humble to mention them.
Having lived, he has left this world a better place by his presence.
An Irish Blessing –
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Sincerely,
Bridget Carroll
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jack Kelly.
Linda Michitsch Jackson
LCHS ’67
To Jack’s Family
I am so sorry for your loss Jack and I graduated from LCHS together. The last time i saw Jack was twelve years ago at our friend Terry Kings funeral I will always have fond memories of Jack
Sincerely
Marty Heisler Melbourne,Florida.
We will miss his adventurous spirit, his love for life, his love for his family, and his living large voice. Enjoy peace, no pain, and eternal love with our Lord and Jesus Christ!! —
Ruth Kaufhold
Thanks To All for the Condolences.Jack was my first born and like all first born, we learn to be a parent and we want the best. Being so young, 17 yrs,and a catholic ,7 more children came fast.I wish I could have those yrs back.The amount of friends that my children had and the fun I had , they were happy times.I always told the children a sense of humor is so important, it breaks the ice when meeting people and Jack was a people person.He had the Irish Gift Of Gab.Like his father Leo and that great voice.I love You Jack and will meet you soon.
LOVE MOM
