Joe Kelly
Joe Kelly

Service

Service Date: Friday, April 15, 2016 Service Time: 11:00 am Service Location: Sacred Heart Church, Norton

Burial

Burial Date: Friday, April 15, 2016 Burial Location: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Norton

Obituary of Joe Kelly

It is with sadness, that the family announces the death of Joseph Augustine Kelly, age 72, of Hampton, NB, husband of the late Barbara Kelly, which occurred peacefully on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the Saint John Regional Hospital, with his daughter at his side. He was born on January 14, 1944, in Saint John, NB, a son of the late Fred and Margaret (Smith) Kelly. Joe is survived by his daughter Jacqueline Kelly of Pocologan, NB; brother George Kelly of Beechwood, NB; sister Marie (Lawrence) Fenton of Hampton, NB; sister-in-law Susie Kelly of Conn., US; brothers-in-law John Parry of Langley, BC, Doug (Sandy) Hall of Norton, NB; step sisters-in-law Isabel (Ansley) Bradley of Bransville, NB, Marilyn (Rufus) Peacock of Dartmouth, NS; step brother-in-law Billy (Marilyn) Sommerville of Barnesville, NB and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Azor "Edward", Frederick "Paul" and sisters Kathleen Kelly and Della Parry. Joe graduated NBCC, Saint John as a certified welder in 1965. Over the years, he worked at Saint John Shipbuilding, Douglas Aircraft in Ontario and Imperial Oil in Alberta. He also worked construction and became a member of the Iron Workers Union. Because of downturn in the construction industry in the early 1980s, Joe was looking for a career that would be more reliable to support his family. Joe had an opportunity to volunteer work with Fullerton Music Studio for a short time, where he was quickly hired on and encouraged by the owner, Susan Fullerton to pursue a career as a Piano Technician. Susan provided excellent training and guidance and Joe excelled as a Piano Technician. As Fullerton’s Music Studio's resident Piano Technician for 15 years, he had the pleasure of tuning pianos for many of the great acts both at the Imperial Theatre and Harbour Station. In 1993, Joe purchased the service end of the business from Susan, and Kelly's Piano Service was born. Joe appreciated the support of his wide customer base. He tuned pianos from Sussex to St Stephen, and some in Moncton and Fredericton until his retirement in 2013. Joe was a fantastic husband, he loved and took care of his wife, Barb, for almost 46years. He was very hard working and he took great pride in being a father. He wasn't one to sit around, if he wasn't at work, he was working in his yard, working on the house or helping a friend. No challenge was too great. In his retirement years he enjoyed golfing with his friends, or visiting his daughter at her place where he would often help her with her house and her yard, and he enjoyed trail riding on horseback with his daughter, or cheering her on at horse shows. He was loved by everyone who knew him; his family, his friends, his customers, the community, his church family and pretty much everyone he met. He enjoyed his time with the Sussex Valley Knights of Columbus and was proud and enthusiastic to serve with them. Most of all, he was my father, my friend and my rock. I'm honoured to have been raised by such a wonderful man, he was the definition of unconditional love. Not a day will go by that I won't miss my Dad but I will go on to make him proud. Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Home (506-832-5541), 1063 Main Street, Hampton, NB. Funeral Mass, conducted by Father Dan Bastarache, will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:00am from the Sacred Heart Church, Norton. Internment for both Joe and his wife Barbara will take place in Sacred Heart Cemetery following the service. A reception will take place at the church hall following the interment. Memorials in memory of Joe may be made to the SPCA, Saint John Regional Palliative Care or to the memorial of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through ReidsFH.com
Share Your Memory of
Joe