John Kelly

August 5, 1954 – July 3, 2026

It’s with sudden sadness that our father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather has left for a better place. John will be missed by all that he has known in his 70 years of life.

John resided with his parents, George Kelly Sr. and Sarah Kelly of Minaki, till he was old enough to leave home. John was a guide all his life in Minaki, Murrays Camp, Bayview Lodge and Rough Rock Lodge. John had many guiding buddies from afar. He also had two best friends who he grew up with in Minaki, Elmer Savoyard and the late Alex Savoyard.

Johnny was a jokester, he’d tell you jokes or make jokes to make you laugh. In his younger days, he liked to play guitar and sing, he had a beautiful voice, singing songs from Don Gibson Albums.

He was predeceased by his parents George Kelly Sr. and Sarah Kelly, his spouse Delores Albany, his siblings Jack Kelly, Clarence James Kelly, Donny Kelly, Paul Kelly, Cecilia Kelly and Joe Kelly.

He is survived by his siblings Rose Kelly, Sarah (Robert) Kelly, Kyle Kelly, George Kelly Jr. (Angie), Tony Kelly (Cammy) and Doris McDonald. His children Donald Albany, Dorothy Albany, his grandchildren Megan, Reilly and Herbie Sandy, Bryton Albany, Jordan Copenace, Delaney Albany and Ethan Jack-Albany, his great grandchildren Aiyanna and Scarlett Sandy, Carter Bedard and Stevie Albany.

He will also be missed by his cousins Jessie, Florence, Paula, Iris, Yvonne, Billy, Patty and David McDonald, as well as Cathy, Sherry, Sheila, Geraldine, Linda, Ernie, Anna, Dorothy and Jimmy Cameron and many other of his cousins from Kenora, Wabaseemoong F.N., Eagle Lake F.N., Niisaachewan F.N. as well as many others too numerous to mention, but he cared and loved them all.

We would like to extend our most appreciation to those agencies who took time to take care of our father John. Many thanks to Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care and staff, Dr. B. Bowerman, the Doctor’s and Nurse’s at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, the Emergency Department and to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre for taking care of our late father John.

Pallbearers will be Bryton Albany, Jordan Copenace, Ethan Albany, Riley Sandy, Herbie Sandy and Elmer Savoyard.

Wake service will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 11:00am at the Niisaachewan Cultural Centre. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 11:00am at the Niisaachewan Cultural Centre with cremation to follow.