Thomas J. Kelley 04/12/2021

Braintree- Thomas J. Kelley. at the age of 54, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 12th, at the family home in East Braintree. Tom was born in Braintree and a graduate of Braintree High School and Quincy College. Throughout Tom’s career, he worked as a maintenance man for the Braintree Housing Authority, an EMT and firefighter for the East Bridgewater Fire Department, a morgue tech for the Boston Medical Examiner’s, and a dressman for a few local funeral homes.

Tom lived a life of many passions. First and foremost were his yearly vacations to York Beach, Maine. He planned all year just how he was going to be the “first one on and last one off” and lived by his motto that “every day is a beach day”. From his spray painted Halloween tree to his pot of gold that the Leprechaun filled with chocolate coins, he loved decorating for holidays. Tom was an avid Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox, and Boston College Hockey fan. Tom loved dancing and classic rock, especially Springsteen, The Stones, and U2. Cooking was how Tom expressed his love. Even if an occasional burger turned out like a hockey puck, he always strived to show his family that he cared.

Tom is survived by his five children, Ryan Kelley of Pawtucket R.I, Nicholas Kelley of Waltham, Thomas Kelley, Jr. of East Bridgewater, Stephen Kelley of East Bridgewater, Allison Kelley of Braintree, and granddaughters Arya Kelley and Brynn Kelley of Crestview, Florida. He leaves behind his devoted and loving mother Mary Cathleen (Cushing) Kelley of East Braintree. Tom is survived by his siblings Robert Kelley of San Francisco and his partner Rudy, Richard Kelley of Norton and his wife Jean, and M. Cathleen Kelley of Weymouth. Tom is also survived by his former wives, Michelle (Staples) Kelley of Braintree and Jacqueline Rose(Buck) of Bridgewater, many nieces and nephews, and countless cousins. He was predeceased by his father John M. Kelley, Jr. formerly of Braintree, and his brother John “Jack” M. Kelley, III, formerly of Plymouth.

There will be a Funeral Mass held at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Braintree on Thursday, May 27th at 12:30pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Tom’s ashes will be spread on Long Sands privately. Memorial donations in Tom’s memory may be made to the Braintree Community Food Bank, https://www.braintreefoodpantry.org/, or your local food bank. Arrangements by the Clancy-Lucid Funeral Home of Weymouth.