Frederick Edward Kelley Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday January 2, 2026 at the age of 98. Fred was born on May 25, 1927 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to Margaret (Norton) and Frederick Edward Kelley. Fred was raised in New Bedford and attended the New Bedford Public Schools. Upon graduation, Fred enlisted in the Navy and proudly served his country as an aviator from 1945-1949. Following his discharge, Fred attended college and received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Stonehill College. A few months later on August 26, 1953, Fred married the love of his life and former classmate Claire Dupre. They were married for 69 years before Claire’s passing in 2022 and lived in Brighton while Fred pursued his graduate degree at Boston College.
Fred and his wife made their permanent home in Norton Massachusetts, where they raised their 2 daughters. Fred was a mathematics teacher at Norton High School for over 35 years and was involved in many school and town organizations. Upon his retirement from the Town of Norton, Fred continued in the profession he loved and taught classes at Fisher College and Mass Bay Community College through the early 2000s.
Fred was a man of many passions. For over 50 years, he ran the swimming program at Tabor Academy Summer Program in Marion Massachusetts. While there, Fred sailed his beloved boats Acamar and Onrway throughout Buzzards Bay. He loved sharing the experience, often inviting family and friends to join for a day or evening sail. In the 1990s, Fred and his brother Jim skippered 2 sailing trips throughout the British Virgin Islands. A lover of both the ocean and air, Fred was a devoted pilot and aviation enthusiast. He flew Cessna planes recreationally out of New Bedford, Mansfield and Norwood airports for day trips, often to Nantucket and other nearby towns.
A devout catholic, Fred was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norton, where he was a eucharistic minister and longtime member of The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. In addition, Fred was a Marian Medal recipient, in recognition of his significant service to the church.
Family was by far Fred’s greatest calling. He was a cherished son to Margaret and Fred Sr., older brother to four siblings, father of two beloved daughters and grandfather to four. Fred is predeceased by his parents, wife Claire D. Kelley, a brother Reverend James Kelley, a sister Mary Lou Pursley and son-in-law Mark P. Letourneau. He leaves behind daughter Marianne C. Kelley and husband Philip M. Giordano of Westwood, daughter Michele K. Letourneau of Fairhaven, sister Hilary Kelley of Mahopac, New York and sister Denise Crompton and husband Robert of Nashua, New Hampshire. Fred was the proud grandfather of Matthew P. Giordano and his wife Annie, Kathryn K. Giordano, Angela C. Giordano and Michael M. Giordano as well as many nephews and nieces. Throughout his 98 years, Fred touched many lives, particularly in Norton and Marion. His loss will be deeply felt by family and friends.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, January 9th from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp Street (Off Route 140, Taunton Avenue) Norton.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 10th at 11:00 A.M. in Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 1 Power Street, Norton, MA 02766.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred’s name to The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul at St. Mary’s Church, 1 Power Street, Norton, MA 02766.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com
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