On Sunday, November 10, 2024, Gerald Edgar Kelly departed this life as we know it. He was a model of kindness, patience and positivity for all that knew and loved him. Those he leaves behind to join him later are his wife, Margaret, his children, Bridget and her husband Michael Coyne of Lake Oswego, OR and their children, Kendall, Charles, and Logan Coyne and Jack and Cole Houser, Matthew and his wife, Penny of Brooklyn and their sons, Shane and William, Elizabeth and her husband, Shaun McCavara of Staatsburg, and Catherine and her husband, Joshua and their children, Connor, Maisie, and Darby of Lewisburg, PA.

He was born on August 14, 1939, in Newry, PA, the son of Pius and Ethel Kelly whom he now joins. He was one of 15 sons and daughters. The 7 surviving brothers and sisters are Mary Hetrick, Sister Jane, R.S.M. (Louise), Constance Dolinski, Louis, Rebecca Elias, Eileen Hileman, and Richard. His sister, Charlene, began her beautiful new life at the age of 5. She was later joined by Patrick, Michael, John, Dolores Simpson, Gladys Glunt and Sister Charlene, R.S.M. (Betty).

Gerald studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, OH and was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1965. After his ordination he continued his Doctoral studies in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Upon completing his studies there in 1968, he returned to central PA where he served in the Catholic diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. In 1972 he resigned from the ministry in order to marry Margaret Champeno.

In 1972 they moved to Poughkeepsie and settled in Staatsburg in 1975. Their lives together were full of the ups and downs of married life and raising a family, and fulfilled by the lives and interactions of the children and grandchildren.

He lived his life very simply. Gardening, spending time outdoors, enjoying his family, and volunteering were where he found true happiness. He volunteered for many organizations including the Lewis Gordon Norrie Playground, Inc., Hudson River Housing, Hyde Park Visual Environment Committee, and the Hyde Park Community Garden. He also was active at Regina Coeli Church/St. Paul's Parish as a Eucharistic Minister, Lecter, Cantor, member of the choir, and much more.

After thirty-five years of work as Director of Financial Aid at Marist College and Bard College, he began his retirement. At the urging of his son and friends he began writing. Retirement gave him time to reflect on his life and life around him. He has left these reflections in writing for his family.

Aside from writing, Jerry also spent his years of retirement volunteering. He was a Hospice volunteer for ten years and then began volunteering for "Friends of Seniors," where he drove local seniors to their doctor's appointments. In December of 2023, Jerry decided it was a good time to end his ten years of volunteering with this service. He referred to it as "Divine Irony," when that January he was then diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and his life dramatically changed. He soon received the services from the organization he once volunteered for, Hudson Valley Hospice.

His faith has been a great part of his life. His prayer in the latter part of his life was to have a joyful completion of his life's course, and his family can attest that he did. Jerry found joy and comfort in the recitation of the Rosary with others. Marge and Jerry recited the Rosary every day since his diagnosis, and he enjoyed saying it together to focus on the prayers and hearing others respond. His final wish was that his children would say the Rosary with him in his final days, and they did that. Repeatedly and with joy.

Memories may be shared with Jerry's family during the visitation from 4-7 PM, Monday, November 18th at Sweet's Funeral Home on Route 9, Hyde Park.

There will be a celebration of Jerry's life at 10 AM, Tuesday, November 19th at Regina Coeli Church, Rte. 9, Hyde Park. Cremation will follow and his ashes will be buried at the family's convenience in St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hudson Valley Hospice (www.hvhospice.org), Hyde Park Food Pantry (www.hpfoodpantry.org), or a charity of your choice.

To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit Jerry's obituary at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.