Arthur J. Kelly's Obituary
Arthur Joseph Kelly, 86, of Fort Myers, Florida, passed away surrounded by his loving family on January 29, 2025.
Born September 27, 1938 to Charles and Beatrice Fox Kelly, Arthur and his younger sisters, Grace Lundy (Edward) and Joanne Hurley (Peter), were raised in the borough of Bronx, New York. In 1961 Arthur married his high school sweetheart Patricia Craven Kelly, and together they spent many happy years raising their family in Levittown and Massapequa NY. In their very active retirement, “Art and Pat” maintained homes in Jackson, NJ (West Lake) and Fort Myers, FL (Whiskey Creek).
Arthur was a lifelong public servant, serving his country in the U.S. Marines and dedicating 37 years to the New York City Fire Department, quickly rising to the rank of Battalion Chief. He led the 8th Battalion in midtown Manhattan for almost two decades before joining the NYC Chief of Department staff.
Arthur treasured time with his family above all else. As a devoted father to Michael Kelly (Lisa), Jeanine Heltzel (John), and Maureen Kelly (Andrew Carbone), he delighted in outdoor activities with them, camping in the Catskills and Adirondacks in upstate NY, swimming at the Biltmore Beach Club, fishing and boating on the Great South Bay and skiing in the northeast. His eight grandchildren — Lauren, Shannon and Nick Kelly; Bryce, Braeden, Reed and Drew Heltzel; and Henry Carbone — each have many special memories of “Papa” and “Didi” cheering them on at countless games, sharing sunny days at the beach, and joining them on memorable family vacations. Even as Parkinson's disease presented challenges in his later years, he always cherished visits with his great-grandsons, Declan, James, Emmett and Ryan. In retirement, Art and his wife, Pat, found joy in golfing, playing cards, and spending time with their many friends at West Lake Golf and Country Club (NJ) and Whiskey Creek Country Club (FL). They were fortunate to explore the world through international travel, and Arthur proudly displayed a large world map dotted with pins marking the cities he and Pat had visited across six continents.
Arthur was a leader who inspired others to be at their best. He was passionate about the welfare and safety of his family and community, and was credited with saving numerous lives during his fire department career. At Cypress Cove retirement community, he actively participated in the Veterans Club and was known for his kindness and support of his neighbors.
Throughout his life, and even as his health declined, Arthur’s love of life, devotion to family, and sense of humor remained strong. He enjoyed the activities at Cypress Cove Lodge, relished a good meal, and never lost his competitive spirit in a game of bingo. His greatest joy came from visits with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was happiest when he was assured his family was healthy, safe, and secure. He often shared, especially in his final days, “I had a great life.”
A Celebration of Arthur's life will be held this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
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