Maurice L. Kelley
KELLEY, Maurice, January 27th in Needham, MA. Maury died peacefully at age 88, surrounded by family, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marie Fitzgerald, younger brother John B. Kelley of Philadelphia, PA, daughter Maureen and son-in-law Chris Forester of New Canaan, CT, and their children Kristin, Liza, Pete, Matt, Mike, Sean and Dan, and son John F. Kelley and daughter-in-law Joan of Needham and their children Christina, Patrick and Tommy. Maury was predeceased by his sister Mary, father Maurice L. Kelley, Sr. and mother Mary Bates Kelley.
Born in 1929 in Bryn Mawr, PA, Maury spent his formative years in the Philadelphia area. Before matriculation, Maury chose to serve his country honorably as an Ordnance Technician in the U.S. Navy from 1946-1948. At the conclusion of his service, Maury became the first in his family to attend college, graduating with honors from Temple University in 1952 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Maury was very active at Temple where he served as President of the Marketing and Advertising Clubs and was a member of the honorary Sword Society. Shortly after graduation, Maury met Marie at her brother’s wedding. Maury then returned for a second stint in the Navy, this time as Lieutenant (JG) aboard the USS Valcour during the Korean conflict from 1952-1954. It was during his first leave that he married Marie, taking advantage of his time home for a quick honeymoon to Split Rock, PA, before again heading abroad.
Following his service, Maury and Marie moved to Cincinnati, OH, where Maury’s long and successful career in marketing commenced with his job in Brand Management at Procter & Gamble. In 1957, Maury earned his MBA at Xavier University. After 14 years at P&G, Maury moved east to become Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Advertising at Eastern Airlines, where Maury developed the award-winning “Wings of Man” campaign and, much to the delight of his young children, spearheaded a sponsorship of a new tourist attraction in Orlando, FL, known as Walt Disney World. While at Eastern, Maury was selected to participate in the Harvard Advanced Management Program. In 1974, Maury’s career flew west to Los Angeles as he became Vice President of Marketing for Continental Airlines, another decision that delighted his family given Continental’s many regular flights from LAX to Honolulu. Maury’s career culminated at SmithKline Beecham in Pittsburgh, PA, where as VP of Marketing he oversaw the growth of the company’s major consumer brands. During his career, Maury helped pioneer the use of consumer brand marketing practices to other industries and was recognized by numerous associations and in many publications for his achievements.
Retiring in 1993, Maury finally had the chance to devote time to his favorite pursuits: travel, golf, and spoiling his wife and growing cadre of grandchildren. Maury and Marie built a house in Brewster on Cape Cod, which became their new base for annual trips to Ireland and sometimes frustrating but ever hopeful outings to the local golf course. As his game improved, they decided to move to the Ipswich Country Club, which had the dual benefit of closer proximity to golf and less house and lawn maintenance. A great day always ended with a short, solo trip around the few holes surrounding the house as the sun set, followed by a fine scotch and dinner with Marie.
After his cancer diagnosis in 2014, Maury and Marie moved to Needham to be closer to family and the doctors who would help him make the most of his remaining three years. He was always an incredibly positive person, a trait that never wavered and became even more admirable as he confronted his health challenges. He was a quiet yet impressive presence, touching everyone with his kind words and genuine interest in their life and passions. An extraordinary husband to the love of his life, Marie, and an inspiring father and grandfather, he was the rock of our family. “He was,” as we’ve been blessed to hear over the past few days, “the most wonderful man.” And he will be truly missed by many.
Visiting hours Friday, February 3rd, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA.
Funeral mass Saturday, February 4th, at 9:00 am at St. Susanna Parish, 262 Needham St., Dedham, MA.
Donations in Maury’s memory may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or www.dana-farber.org/gift.