Richard W. Kelly, 78

August 12, 2013

Richard W. Kelly, 78, of Millersville, PA, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2013 at Lancaster General Hospital.
He was the husband of Joan C. Creitz Kelly, with whom he celebrated 29 years of marriage this past December 22nd. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Charles and Viola Gough Kelly.
Richard was a 1967 graduate of St. John’s University where he earned at BA in English and also studied Philosophy at CUNY-Hunter College. A certified English Teacher, Richard taught in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania throughout his career. He also had worked as a drug and alcohol counselor at the Clare House in Lancaster and The Gate House in Lititz.
He was a baseball fan, loved Notre Dame football and loved to read. A published writer, Richard had written articles for the Susquehanna Monthly Magazine and had written a book about the Welsh Mountains. He also loved his dogs, enjoyed foreign movies and working on his computer.
He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster.
Richard served in the US Army from 1954 to 1956.
In addition to his wife, Joan, he is survived by his daughter, Pamela Ortwein of Emmaus, his stepchildren: Tamie Leahy of Wilmington, DE, Steven Griffith companion of Ann Chisholm of Newark, DE, and Lauren married to Robert Risser of Lititz; his two grandchildren Janelle and Lindsay Ortwein, and his 7 step grandchildren: Justin Mathena companion of Theresa Slater, Hope Mathena, Taylor and Alexandra Griffith, and Zachary, Noah, and Amelia Risser. He is also survived by his brother, Ronald Kelly of New York, NY.
Friends are invited to attend Richard’s Memorial Service on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 2PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 538 W. Chestnut St. Lancaster, PA, with interment in the church’s memorial garden following the service. Friends will then be received by his family at the church following the interment. In lieu of flowers,please make contributions in Richard’s memory to the Humane League of Lancaster County, 2195 Lincoln Hwy. East, Lancaster, PA 17602.