James F. Kelly

Jim died peacefully on January 10, 2023, at the age of 101.  He lived life to the fullest in Swampoodle, Port Richmond, Collingswood, NJ and, most recently, Center City Philadelphia. Jim was a loving, fun and incredible father to Dennis (Mary Egan) of Cherry Hill, James, Jr. (Patti Gordon) of Southampton, PA, Janice Bullard (Christopher) of Philadelphia and the late John Kelly. He was crazy in love with his grandchildren Amanda Park (Brian), Christopher “Kit” Kelly (Jamie), Alison Zerbe (Robert Daniels), Drew Zerbe, Patrick Kelly (Jennie) and Sean Kelly and his great-grandchildren Abby and Brendan Park.  Jim equally loved his step-grandson Jeff Bullard, his wife Katie and their children Josephine and Maya and his step-great grandchildren Justine and Austin Park. He cherished his special relationship with Ron Przybylowicz, his wife Mary Lou and their children Erin and Cara and loved them like family and being their Pop and PopPop.

Jim was predeceased by his wife, the love of his life, Jeanne McAneny, his siblings Helen Kelly, Jack Kelly and Mary Sizer and longtime companion Elva McHugh.  Jim graduated from Roman Catholic in 1939.  He served during WWII as an aerographer with U.S. Naval Group China also known as the Rice Paddy Navy and more officially as “SACO” (Sino American Cooperative Organization), a highly secretive operation that was a forerunner to the Navy SEALS.  After his military service, Jim graduated from LaSalle College.  He worked primarily for the Federal Government as a personnel specialist and upon retirement was an “ad-visor” for the Philadelphia Inquirer. In addition to his immediate family, Jim is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and everyone he would meet and received his encouragement to “stay nice.”

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Visitation Saturday, January 28 ^th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish, St. John’s Church, 809 Park Ave., Collingswood, NJ, where his Funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 AM.

(To view Mass online go to https://www.facebook.com/St-Teresa-of-Calcutta-Parish-NJ-376268079241170 )

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in his memory be made to the Dementia Society of America, P.O. Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Arrangements by Jackson Funeral Home, Haddon Twp., NJ www.jacksonfh.net .