Joseph Anthony Kelly

June 16, 1940 - December 9, 2022

Newcastle, California -- Joseph Anthony Kelly (Joe) peacefully passed away on December 9, 2022. He was the beloved husband of Anne Kelly and proud father of Joseph Anthony Kelly, Jr. (Tamra) and Stacy Ann Petrovich (Matt). He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Derek, Dylan, Jennifer, Justin, Taylor and Trevor, plus five great grandchildren.

Joe was born in Los Angeles to parents Francis and Mary Casey Kelly, grew up on the Monrovia Sierra Madre area, and graduated from St. Francis High School in La Canada Flintridge. After getting his undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University in 1962, he went on to obtain a Master's degree in Education from San Diego State.

He spent the early years of his career in various teaching positions. Those ranged from John Still middle school in Sacramento, working in a University of Oregon government-sponsored Job Corps program, to teaching college prep at the Tongue Point Women's center in Astoria, Oregon.

In 1972, Joe settled in Sacramento and began his 28-year career in California state government, climbing up the civil service ladder to deputy director positions in what is now the CA State Department of Social Services and the CA State Department of Health Care Services. In the latter, he was one of the pioneers in the creation of the state's Medi-Cal Managed Care program, becoming a nationally recognized leader in that policy area and serving on numerous local, state, and federal advisory committees, boards, and commissions.

Following his retirement from state service in 2000, Joe devoted considerable time to working on ways to improve access to affordable health care services for members of California's Indian Tribes. His last endeavor was helping Elizabeth Cassin establish the non-profit Elica Health Centers. He was extremely proud that to this day Elica continues to provide affordable health care to the underserved in Sacramento County. He was a member of the Elica Board of Directors until his death.

Joe rebuilt the home he loved in Newcastle. He enjoyed traveling, skiing in his younger years, hunting with Joe Jr. and grandchildren, and watching his favorite football team, the Raiders. Anne and his family raise a glass of Pilsner beer in his honor and will host a Celebration of Life in May 2023.

Those wishing to make a donation in Joe's name to Elica may do so by mailing a check or using a credit card via Network for Good. Elica's Elica's EIN/Account Number is 37-1424390.