Mr. Girard F. "Jerry" Kelley

Mr. Girard "Jerry" F. Kelley, age 79 of Canastota, NY and formerly of Parishville, NY passed away on February 14th at his residence in Canastota, NY. Services will be held Friday, February 20 at 11am at the Garner Funeral Service in Potsdam. Friends may call on Thursday from 4-7pm. On line condolences can be shared @www.garnerfh.com. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care of the Oneida, Herkimer and Eastern Madison Counties @4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413.

Jerry is survived by his wife Sheila Kelley; sons Steven (Toni) Kelley and Andrew (Sommer) Friot; daughters Stacie (Ryan) Woodward, Kim Clark and companion Bill Writesel and Danielle (Stan) Congden; brother Howard Kelley; 13 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by wife Gordonna Kelley; granddaughter Dani Jacot; brother Andrew Kelley; his parents Andrew and Claire Kelley and a sister Clemintine Reynolds.

Mr. Girard F. Kelley was born December 30, 1935 in Utica, NY to the late Andrew Kelley and Claire Kelly. He was a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School. He then attended Sienna College on a basketball scholarship. He served in the United States Air Force from 1956 until his honorable discharge in 1962. He was married to Gordonna Cyrus in June of 1962. She died suddenly in 1973. He then was married to Sheila Downing on July 2, 1989.

Jerry lived in the Midwest for years. He worked as a salesman for Dickies and Farrah stores. He then returned to the North Country and drove truck for UPS in Potsdam from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. He also was the owner and operator of the Timber Tavern in Parishville, NY from 1971-76. Jerry was the Town Justice for the Town of Parishville for 24 years. He was on the Parishville-Hopkinton School board for over 20 years. He was also on the Parishville Fire and Rescue Squads and was a member of the Potsdam Elks Lodge for many years.

Jerry enjoyed hunting, four wheeling, golfing, boating and was a big sports fan. He especially enjoyed watching girls softball. Jerry was a World War II history buff. He loved his little best friend of 14 years his dog Dee.