Rev. Donald F. Kelly, 86

A funeral Mass was offered June 15 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Watervliet, for Rev. Donald Kelly, who died June 13. He was 86 and had been a priest of the Albany Diocese for 52 years.

A native of Troy, he was associate pastor at St. George's parish, Pittstown (and later pastor there); Annunciation, Ilion; St. Brigid's, Watervliet (while teaching at Catholic Central High School in Troy) and St. Mary's, Amsterdam. In 1979, he became pastor of St. Joseph's parish in West Winfield, then St. John the Evangelist in Rensselaer. He served outside the Albany Diocese for a few years, then was pastor of St. Monica's parish in Johnsonville. From 1996 until his retirement in 2005, he was pastor of St. Joseph's in Green Island.

Beloved in Green Island, he continued to live there and was known for his talent on the piano and his kindness, wisdom and willingness to help out in any way he could, long after his retirement from active ministry.

He once told The Evangelist that what he remembered most about his decades of priesthood was "the wonderful reception by all the people in each parish." A wonderful reception into the joys of heaven must be prepared for him now.

Survivors include siblings John of Guilderland and James and Mary of Carson City, Nev. Interment will be in Saratoga National Cemetery.[[In-content Ad]]