Former Irish Mayor of The Day
WATERBURY – Joseph W. Kelly, age 83, of Waterbury passed away unexpectedly at Saint Mary’s Hospital on Friday, February 24th, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Hilda (Desmarais) Kelly.
Joe was born July 26, 1939, In Waterbury, CT, the son of the late Stephen and Catherine (Delaney) Kelly. He was a graduate of Crosby High School (where he was a 3 sport varsity athlete), attending Central Connecticut State University before enlisting with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war where he proudly served his country in two tours of duty in Vietnam before being honorably discharged.
Joe held several occupations over his lifetime and finished his career as a police officer with Amtrak. He was most proud of being a coach and working with youth sports including Willie Mays League and youth bowling at the Waterbury Elks. He was an avid UConn Huskies and Boston Red Sox fan (no matter if they were winning or losing) and continued his coaching from his favorite chair.
Joe was an active member in several local organizations including the Ancient Order of Hibernians Monsignor Slocum Division # 1 , the Waterbury Elks Club Lodge #265, and the Waterbury VFW Post 201, and held several different leadership roles with each of these organizations. One of Joe’s happiest days was the day he was honored as the Waterbury “Irish” Mayor for the Day in 2011 and was also proud to have the opportunity to serve as the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Marshall. He was a quiet, humble man who was extremely proud of his Irish heritage. His family suggests to all that the best way to remember him is to keep him in their hearts and speak of him often as they will forever hold their husband and father in their hearts. Joe was unique in so many ways, he made the world a better place for all of us, and we are all blessed and thankful to have had him in our lives.
Left to honor his legacy and cherish his memory beside his wife of 53 years, Hilda, his sons; Brian Kelly and his wife, Patricia, grandsons, Brendan and Devin of Cheshire, and Donald Kelly and his wife, Susan, grandsons, Joseph and Andrew of Lincoln, RI. He also leaves his brother, Richard Kelly of Florida. He was predeceased by his siblings, Stephen Kelly, Robert Kelly, Thomas Kelly, and Barbara Kelly as well as his grandson, Christian Kelly. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Kelly will be held Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 12:00 noon at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1987 East Main St. Waterbury, CT 06705. Burial with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery Waterbury. Relatives and friends may visit with the Kelly family on Thursday morning from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 12:00. To honor Joe’s memory memorial donations to the AOH Monsignor Slocum Scholarship fund at 91 Golden Hill St Waterbury, CT 06706 would be greatly appreciated. Loving-kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. Please visit the funeral home’s tribute page at
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mr. Joseph W. Kelly, please visit our flower store.
WATERBURY – Joseph W. Kelly, age 83, of Waterbury passed away unexpectedly at Saint Mary’s Hospital on Friday, February 24th, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Hilda (Desmarais) Kelly.
Joe was born July 26, 1939, In Waterbury, CT, the son of the late Stephen and Catherine (Delaney) Kelly. He was a graduate of Crosby High School (where he was a 3 sport varsity athlete), attending Central Connecticut State University before enlisting with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war where he proudly served his country in two tours of duty in Vietnam before being honorably discharged.
Joe held several occupations over his lifetime and finished his career as a police officer with Amtrak. He was most proud of being a coach and working with youth sports including Willie Mays League and youth bowling at the Waterbury Elks. He was an avid UConn Huskies and Boston Red Sox fan (no matter if they were winning or losing) and continued his coaching from his favorite chair.
Joe was an active member in several local organizations including the Ancient Order of Hibernians Monsignor Slocum Division # 1 , the Waterbury Elks Club Lodge #265, and the Waterbury VFW Post 201, and held several different leadership roles with each of these organizations. One of Joe’s happiest days was the day he was honored as the Waterbury “Irish” Mayor for the Day in 2011 and was also proud to have the opportunity to serve as the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Marshall. He was a quiet, humble man who was extremely proud of his Irish heritage. His family suggests to all that the best way to remember him is to keep him in their hearts and speak of him often as they will forever hold their husband and father in their hearts. Joe was unique in so many ways, he made the world a better place for all of us, and we are all blessed and thankful to have had him in our lives.
Left to honor his legacy and cherish his memory beside his wife of 53 years, Hilda, his sons; Brian Kelly and his wife, Patricia, grandsons, Brendan and Devin of Cheshire, and Donald Kelly and his wife, Susan, grandsons, Joseph and Andrew of Lincoln, RI. He also leaves his brother, Richard Kelly of Florida. He was predeceased by his siblings, Stephen Kelly, Robert Kelly, Thomas Kelly, and Barbara Kelly as well as his grandson, Christian Kelly. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Kelly will be held Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 12:00 noon at Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1987 East Main St. Waterbury, CT 06705. Burial with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery Waterbury. Relatives and friends may visit with the Kelly family on Thursday morning from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 12:00. To honor Joe’s memory memorial donations to the AOH Monsignor Slocum Scholarship fund at 91 Golden Hill St Waterbury, CT 06706 would be greatly appreciated. Loving-kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence, words of comfort, or share a memory with the family and friends of someone important to you. Please visit the funeral home’s tribute page at
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