James "Jim" F. Kelly

Kelly, 72 of Park Circle, South Attleboro, passed away in the comfort and surroundings of his home of 46 years, with his family by his side on Thursday, February 9, 2012, following a lengthy but brave struggle with that merciless and unrelenting thief of mind and body, known as Alzheimer’s.

He was a resident of South Attleboro since 1965.

Jim was the husband of Del (Souza) Kelly to whom he was married in October, 1960.

Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on January 11, 1940 he was the dear son of the late James and Katherine (McDermott) Kelly.

After attending schools in Pawtucket, Jim proudly served in the United States Air Force commencing in 1959.

Following his honorable discharge from the service in 1965 Jim began working for General Motors, at their Framingham assembly plant where he worked for most of thirty years, becoming a Union Committeeman, and during which time he earned his associates degree at Johnson & Wales University.

He was active in South Attleboro youth sports, coaching for several years in both the White Hawk Football League and in the South Attleboro Little League.

Jim was a lifelong fan of all our New England sports teams, being a vocal and outspoken supporter of the Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins.

Jim was a longtime member of the Irish Social Club in Pawtucket.In his younger days he enjoyed fishing and spending long summer days playing horse shoes with the closest of friends and family at his side.

In his later years Jim also enjoyed playing golf, but eventually discovered watching the sport was a much less frustrating pastime.

In addition to taking pride in landscaping his yard and tending to his garden, Jim could often be found spending his mornings debating politics, sports and other topics of the day with friends at a local coffee shop.

He always found or made time to be there to lend a worker’s hand and sweat and a foreman’s voice of direction to any big home project his children or friends had undertaken.

His true joy in life came in keeping in the company of his family and tight-knit circle of friends.

Jim and Del took some time to travel after his retirement from GM, and also wintered for a number of years in Port St.

Lucie, Florida, where they came to make so many new and wonderful lifelong friendships.

Jim will be missed the most by those who knew him best.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, and his tireless caregiver for the past several years, Del (Souza) Kelly; three children, James V. and his wife Kimberly J. (Lapierre) Kelly of Attleboro, Susan M. (Kelly) Parrillo, and her husband Steven Parrillo of Cranston, and Steven B.

Kelly and his wife Nancy (LaCroix) Kelly, of South Attleboro, his seven beloved grandchildren, James, Connor and Elliott Kelly, all of Attleboro, Eric Parrillo and Ryan Salisbury, both of Cranston, and Shawnna and Justin Kelly, both of South Attleboro .

Jim was preceded in death by his sister Patricia (Pat) Belmont, and her late husband Lester Belmont, both of Pawtucket as well as his brother-in-law John (Jack) Burns, of North Attleboro.

Jim is survived by his loving sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Burns, of Attleboro, and Rosemary Dolan, along with her husband Charles (Ted) Dolan, both of Lincoln.His funeral will be held Monday at 9 a.m. from WILLIAM W.

TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St.

Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, 18 Baltic St., South Attleboro.

Burial with Military Honors will follow at Newell Burying Ground, South Attleboro.

VISITATION Sunday 4 to 8 p.m.It is with special and endearing thanks that we please ask in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Community VNA, ATTN: Development Office, 10 Emory Street, Attleboro, MA 02703, or on-line at https://www.communityvna.com/donation, as the professional hospice care and treatment of the Community VNA medical and support staff as well as the unyielding dedication of their hospice volunteers was a Godsend never to be forgotten by the Kelly Family.