My deepest condolences to the entire Kelly family.  I've gotten to know Bernard over the last nearly 30 years.  What a truly beautiful and amazing man he was! Always smiling, positive and grateful.   He was so proud of you all. Every month, he would update me on all the latest family happenings.  I absolutely adored him.  He has left this world much better than he found it.  God bless Bernard and God bless you all. Heaven has a new Angel.

My condolences to the Kelly family.  As a former student of Mr. Kelly’s at Forest View HS during the 1970s, I am forever grateful for his mathematics instruction, computer education leadership, and career guidance that significantly influenced the direction of my professional career.  May he rest in peace.

I met Bernie Kelly when I first started working at Elk Grove High School back in 1989. He was one of the staff members who had been  very involved already in the new Japanese Exchange Program with our sister schools in Ashikaga, a program I started coordinating that fall.

Bernie was a tremendous asset to the exchange for many years. He repeatedly volunteered to do extra work, to help arrange classroom visit schedules for our guests, and to serve as host for a Japanese chaperone or to go back to Japan as a U.S. chaperone when we needed one. He continued to be involved in the exchange for several years even after he had retired from EGHS, something I really appreciated.

Bernie, moreover, was more than a hard worker and a valuable contributor to international understanding; he was also a model human being: humble, sincere, generous, compassionate, diligent and wise. He dedicated his life to helping others. 

I am deeply grateful and honored to have known Bernie Kelly, as are retired teachers in Japan with whom I’m still in contact. Bernie truly made a difference.

Bernie Kelly was someone I respected from the bottom of my heart and to whom I owe more than words can express.

When I look back, everything began in March 1989, when I first met Bernie and stayed at his home as a chaperone for our Japanese exchange students. From that very first day, Bernie and Chris supported me in every possible way. Bernie always accepted everything with generosity and kindness; and without hesitation, he quietly stood behind me and the sister-school exchange program.

Without the involvement of the Kellys, I truly believe that our exchange would never have continued so successfully for more than thirty years. I will never forget the many times Bernie brought students to Japan and stayed with us—those memories remain very dear to me.

I have lived my life holding Bernie as a deeply-respected role model. Although I have not yet come close to being the kind of person he was, I sincerely believe that having known him is one of the greatest treasures of my life. For me, he was like a family member, my older brother in America.

Moreover, I’m sure that the many friends in Japan who loved and admired Bernie also feel the same way I do.

I will close with a saying that is dear to me:  “A household that accumulates good deeds will be blessed with unexpected happiness.” I truly believe this describes Bernie’s life. May he rest in peace.

For some reason I still clearly remember Bern taking Rob, myself and my brother on a tent camping trip to Devils Lake in Wisconsin. Good times and memories!

Condolences to the Kelly family.  I had the honor of working with him at Driscoll Catholic high school in the math department.  He was a great teacher and a wonderful man. Maybe rest in peace .
Connie Gonski

It was a pleasure working with Bern at DCHS.  He was a great math teacher and showed fine leadership when he served as principal.  A gracious man who will be missed, condolences to his family.

Please accept our heartfelt sympathy Meg, Bob and Tim on the loss of your father.  We will never forget his infectious laugh and his many kindnesses.  He has been a true for most of our lives and will be sorely missed.
Love and blessings,
Bernie and Carol Kleinke

OBITUARY

Bernard "Bern" J. Kelly

12 January, 1939 – 22 January, 2026

Oehler Funeral Home

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