Mark Patrick Kelly Sr.

Mark was born at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam to Mary Ann Kelly Sr. and Alexander Joseph Kelly Jr. He grew up with his siblings Alexander Kelly III, Timothy Kelly, Mary Ann Kelly (Luther Waller), and Mary Frances Kelly.

Mark graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa in 1969. He earned a BA in Economics in 1973 and a Juris Doctorate in 1976, both from Loyola University in New Orleans. Mark began his career in law as a law clerk at the Second District Court of Appeal, then transitioned into private practice. He later became a partner of Lopez, Kelly & Bible, P.A. He was best known for his family law practice, and over the years he argued twice before the Florida Supreme Court and litigated cases from admiralty to zoning. He was also a member of the Florida Justice Association and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Mark believed in service and gave generously of his time and expertise. He volunteered with St. Michael’s Legal Center in Tampa, served as Treasurer and Master of the Family Law Inns of Court in Tampa, and was a member of the executive committee of the Hillsborough County Bar Family Law Section. He stayed connected to Jesuit High School through the alumni community. He also led in youth programs as Cubmaster for the Cub Scout pack at Academy of the Holy Names, helping start several young men on the path to becoming Eagle Scouts, including his son.

Mark lived a full personal life and deeply valued his family and friends. He kept family close, making his home for many years on the same street as his mother and sisters. He was father to Mark Patrick Kelly Jr. and Megan Elizabeth Kelly-Horrnik (Anthony “Tony” Horrnik) and grandfather to Charlotte Quinn Horrnik and Sutton Elizabeth Horrnik. He was deeply proud of his children and the lives they built, and he adored his granddaughters, who were the apple of his eye. Watching them grow brought him immense joy.

Friends and family will remember Mark for his quick wit and sharp sense of humor. He lived by the words, “to have a friend you have to be a friend.” He loved fishing, boating, cooking seafood, and working on projects around the house. He enjoyed art and being creative, and he loved taking on projects that let him express that creativity. His fish fries and seafood boils were well known, and many cherished memories were made on Little Gasparilla Island with both friends and family. He was a man of deep Catholic faith and a longtime member of Christ the King Church.

He is survived by his children, Mark Patrick Kelly Jr. and Megan Kelly-Horrnik with her husband Tony, his granddaughters Charlotte and Sutton, his mother Mary Ann Kelly Sr., and sisters Mary Ann Kelly Jr. and Mary Frances Kelly. He was preceded in death by his father Alexander Joseph Kelly Jr. and his brothers Alexander Kelly III and Timothy Kelly.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church on October 6 at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow. A committal service will take place at Curlew Cemetery at 2 p.m. that same day.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Mark’s memory to the Lewy Body Dementia Association supporting research and care for those living with the diagnosis.