Joseph Francis Kelly (Joe), a lifelong resident of Charlestown entered into eternal life on Sunday, January 25 at Charter Senior Living in Danvers, Mass. He was 93 years old.
Born October 27, 1932 to the late Patrick and Bridget (Logue) Kelly of County Donegal, Ireland, Joe was the third of six Kelly children, growing up on Decatur Street and then Green Street in Charlestown. He attended St. Catherine of Siena parochial school and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1952 where he was captain of the Charlestown High hockey team. Joe went on to work at The MBTA for 35 years before his retirement in 1989.
An active and positive influence on many in the Charlestown community and beyond, Joe’s generosity and selflessness knew no boundaries. He was a significant benefactor to many charitable organizations to include Catholic education, The Knights of Columbus, The Carmelites, Catholic missionaries, The John Boyle O’Reilly Society, Noraid in support of Freedom and civil rights in the North of Ireland, as well as countless foodbanks, homeless shelters, and essentially anyone in need.
Joe was predeceased by his parents Patrick and Bridget, his brothers Patrick and John his sister Mary Bavis, his brothers-in-law Richard Bavis, Richard Comeau, and David Corcoran, his sister-in-law Shirley Kelly and his nephews Ricky Bavis and Mark Bavis. He leaves behind his sisters Ann Corcoran of Beverly and Helen Comeau of Quincy, his sister-in-law Isabelle Kelly of Florida as well as 25 nieces and nephews, 61 grand nieces and nephews, and 18 great-grand nieces and nephews. Joe will be remembered as a man of tremendous Faith and Family and a lover of all things Ireland. He will be dearly missed.
Charitable donations in Joe’s name may be made to St. Francis De Sales Church Building Fund, 46 Winthrop St. Charlestown, Mass. 02129 or to a charity of your choice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Joe’s visiting hours on Friday morning, January 30, 2026, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown followed by his Funeral Mass at 12 P.M. in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. His burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.