John J. Kelly, age 65, was called safely home on March 22, 2018 at Baystate Medical Center. He was born on Dec. 17, 1952 in Springfield, a son of the late Lawrence and Mary (Herlihy) Kelly. John was a communicant of the former St Patrick’s Parish. After he graduated from Chicopee High School in 1971, he joined the US Marines Corps and served during Vietnam. He worked many years for the Railroad; He worked on the Chicopee Fire Department for several years and most recently as a handyman and painter. John enjoyed cooking, fishing, golfing and enjoyed his mornings with his close friends at the local café. His favorite past time was playing the lottery and watching his Boston Sports Teams. He leaves his fiancé, Karen Lignar of Chicopee; 3 sisters Eileen Kelly of Chicopee, Kathleen Tierney and her husband Paul of Wilbraham and Sheila Kelly of East Springfield. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins and dear friends who loved him and will miss him dearly. He is predeceased by his sisters Mary Haluch and Elizabeth “Betty” Desnoyers. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield St, Chicopee. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 26th at 11:00 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St Patrick’s Church at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.