Maurice J. Kelly

Maurice was born in 1924 in Beloit, WI to Bernard and Louise Kelly.  He graduated high school in 1942 and immediately entered the Army Air Corps.  He was assigned to a B17 Bomber Group in the 8^th Air Force in England and completed 30 missions and received the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross.

In 1945 Kelly entered University of Wisconsin and in June of 1946 married Margaret Richardt of Evansville, IN.  Upon graduation in 1948 with a BS in Chemical Engineering, Kelly joined Hercules Powder Company, Papermakers Chemical Department in Kalamazoo, MI.  He retired in 1985 after 37 years as Market Manager in the Resins Department.

Mr. Kelly’s memberships and positions included Hercules Country Club, President of Hercules Men’s Club, President of Delaware Toastmaster’s Club, President of St. Marks High School Executive Board, Catholic Co-Chair of the National Council of Christians and Jews and President of the Wilmington Diocesan School Board.  Mr. Kelly was a member of St. Helena Church for over 60 years and served as Executive Officer of the Parish Finance Council and was a Lector at Mass.

Mr. Kelly received the Order of Merit from the Diocese of Wilmington and the Pro Bono Award from the Poor Richard Club of Philadelphia.  His most memorable honor was being Toastmaster at the Installation of Thomas Joseph Mardaga, Bishop of Wilmington in 1968.

Mr. Kelly’s hobbies included golf, skiing, wind surfing and being the Family Handyman!

He was preceded in death by his wife Margie, daughter Colette Molloy, sisters Dorothy Snyder and Frances Hughes and grandson Brett Kelly.

Mr. Kelly is survived by his sons Michael (Christine) of Lewes, DE, Patrick (Kim) of Arnold, MD, daughters Sheila Ward (Rand) of Port Royal, SC, Celeste Kelly (Stan Tucker) of Newark, DE and was blessed with 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.