Thomas P. Kelly

Following an 85-year life of devoted commitment to family and community, Thomas P. Kelly lost his battle with a brief illness on June 24 to be reunited with family and friends in heaven.

A life-long Homewood resident and the son of Dr. Timothy H. Kelly and Lenore Kelly and Mary Kelly, Tom attended Campion Jesuit High School (Prairie du Chien, WI.) and Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he met his loving wife Mary Jo (Reilly) of nearly 63 years.

After serving his country from 1958 to 1960 in the Army, Tom worked for Illinois Bell / AT&T before enjoying his retirement of 31 years. He was always deeply involved in the Homewood area community, including Jaycees, Boy Scouts, St. Joseph Parish, Homewood Baseball, Marian Catholic High School and Homewood Small Fry Basketball.

In recent years, he served as a board member, the unofficial gardener and caretaker at the Dorband Howe House, home of Homewood's historical society. Retirement focused on gardening, meeting with telephone/golf friends, spoiling his seven grandchildren and being a wonderful person to so many facets of the community.

Often patterned after the friendships of their three sons, Tom and Mary Jo held a very dear group of friends close to their hearts, one that shared the same Catholic (and often Irish) and family values, and also a group that enjoyed sharing the roles as lives of the party! He is blessed to join many of them now in heaven.

In a life defined by service to so many, Tom's involvement always elicited the same responses. . . "your dad is the greatest; your dad is my favorite; your dad is so incredibly nice and helpful."

Tom is now reunited with his parents, as well as brother Tim (late Lynne), a lifelong Navy officer, and sister Mary. He is survived by wife Mary Jo, sons Kevin (Anita), Sean (Charlotte) and Patrick (Maryann), as well as brother Jim (Maureen). He will also continue to look down over his seven favorite grandchildren, Theodore, Ryan, Ethan, Erin, Clark, Quinn and Owen, as well as three grand-dogs and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Visitation will occur from 3 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28 at Tews-Ryan Funeral Home. Funeral Thursday with 10:15 am prayers at the Funeral Home to St. Joseph Church for an 11am Mass. Burial will be on Friday June 30, 12:30p, Eternal resting place and full Military Honors will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Marian Catholic High School or Homewood Historical Society. For additional information contacttews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.