Paul Kelley Jr.

Paul F. Kelley, Jr. was born in Chicago, IL on June 22, 1938 to Mary Agnes (Wright) and Paul F. Kelley, Sr. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brother Donald Kelley, daughter Brooke and his beloved wife Mary Ellen (Shehan). Paul is survived by his daughter Stacy Vivas (Louis) and son Timothy Kelley (Pilar); grandchildren Katie Lucas (Brian), Alison Campen (Nate), Kelley Vivas, Anderson Vivas, and Paul S. Kelley; great-grandchildren Ashley Lucas, Justin Lucas, Grizzly Campen and Noa Campen. Paul and Mary Ellen also considered themselves second parents to a high school exchange student from El Salvador, Maricela McDonell (Robert) and grandparents to Robert Paul, Sean and Steven McDonell.

Paul grew up in Decatur, GA with his older brother, Donald. He was class president at Marist High School and excelled in baseball and football. After high school, Paul entered the seminary to become a Catholic priest. He obtained his Undergraduate degree in Theology and Master’s degrees in Theology and Administration from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD. He taught English at St. Joseph’s High School in downtown Atlanta and was proud to play a part in becoming the first integrated Catholic high school in Atlanta in the late 1950’s. He went on to become Principal of the school.

Paul met Mary Ellen at Pittypat’s Porch in downtown Atlanta and she began to provide a temporary home for some of his students. This led to a long tradition of opening their home to teens and young adults for decades to come. Paul left the priesthood and married Mary Ellen in 1970, moving across the country and planting their roots in a home in North Central Phoenix. They later bought a neighboring house for Paul’s aunt and eventually built another house on the property for Mary Ellen’s mother, thus completing the family compound.

After many years as a business owner in the solar industry, Paul and Mary Ellen turned the family compound into a bed and breakfast inn - Maricopa Manor. This venture capitalized on their strengths of hospitality and communication - and carried them into their retirement years.

Paul’s family will attend the 10am Sunday mass at Brophy Chapel on April 2, 2023 and will host an Irish Wake at Tim’s home immediately afterward. Paul will be forever missed by his family and all who were lucky enough to cross his path. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mi Casa Kids (micasakids.org), an international non-profit located in El Salvador, which seeks to offer a home to abandoned, orphaned and abused children; to educate and provide a spiritual and safe haven so that they may create a better life.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ALMoore-Grimshaw.com for the Kelley family.