William V. Kelly “Bill”, 72, of Spring Lake Heights, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 22, 2018 surrounded by his loved ones. Born & raised in Hoboken, Bill moved to Spring Lake Heights in 1959. He was a graduate of St. Rose High School Class of 1963, graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University Emmitsburg, MD Class of 1967, and received his J.D. from Seton Hall Law School in 1970. Bill had been a partner in the law firm of Starkey, Kelly, Kenneally, Cunningham & Turnbach, Attorneys at Law in Toms River, NJ since 1974. He was a Certified Civil Trial Attorney since 1988 and served as past President of the Ocean County Bar Association. Bill recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ocean County Bar Association. He was a parishioner of St. Catharine Church in Spring Lake and attended St. Rose Church in Belmar. Bill was very devoted to his family, especially his beloved wife, Eileen, and his loving children. He loved to travel, ski, and loved animals. He was a great supporter of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Research Center. Bill was a generous, kind-spirited man with a wonderful smile and bright blue eyes, and was very proud of his Irish roots. He was a friend to anyone in need, just as his father Neil had modeled for him. He will be deeply missed.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Cornelius and Dorothy Kelly. Surviving are his beloved wife of 37 years, Eileen Kelly of Spring Lake Heights, NJ, his 6 children; Michael Kelly of Lantana, FL, Meghan Rady of Spring Lake Heights, NJ, Erin Kelly of Toms River, NJ, Tricia Drake of Wall, NJ, Billy and Colleen Kelly of New York, NY. He leaves behind 7 grandchildren; Ryan, Aidan and Grace Rady, Patrick and Vivien Kelly, and Colin and Bridget Drake. He also leaves behind his siblings; Dorothy Ford of Spring Lake, NJ and Thomas Kelly of Melbourne, FL and several nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues and his furry friends, Clancy and Darby.
Visiting will be Friday from 4-8 PM at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, 9 AM at St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to: Fred’s Team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 27432 New York, NY 10087.