Daniel X. Kelley

Dan grew up in Milton, MA, the son of Francis J. and Lucy (Casey) Kelley. He graduated from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. He and Mary Alice raised their family in Kingston, NY where he had an accomplished 28-year career at IBM. They moved to Cary, NC in 1984.

Few have lived life as fully as Dan. He possessed a natural curiosity and an adventuresome spirit. He read and reread the classics, travelled the world, and always said yes to life, even in his final days. He loved children and had a unique way of relating to them throughout his life. With a sparkle in his eye, Dan loved telling a good story. He listened to classical music and tended to his flower gardens and birds. Since his retirement, Dan has painted more than 400 oil paintings, some of which won awards and many of which he gave away. Dan's faith and family were central to his life. It was his family that brought him the greatest joy and his love of God that guided him and gave him strength and comfort.

Dan served in the US Navy and was a member of the Mendelssohn Choir in Kingston for many years. He was an active member of his church and volunteered at a local food bank. For decades, Dan golfed regularly at Lochmere Golf Course and was an active member of the Fine Arts League of Cary.

Dan is survived by his sisters, Mary Dacey of University Heights, OH; Ann Kelley, SND, of Worcester, MA; and Sheila Doyle and her husband Gerald of Hingham, MA. He is predeceased by his brothers, Francis Kelley and Rev. Paul Kelley.

Dan leaves his children, Kathleen Caldara and her husband Steve, from Cambridge, MA; Maureen O'Connor and her husband Tim, from Cary, NC; Daniel X. Kelley Jr. and his wife Joan, from Marlton, NJ; Janet McGinnis and her husband Max, from Cumberland, RI; Trisha Gavagni and her husband Joe, from Southington, CT; and Megan Coppola from Westwood, MA. His grandchildren include Lise Ann and Michael Caldara (Grace); Patrick, Brendan and Deirdre O'Connor; Dan, Devin, John and Jared Kelley; Kevin McGinnis, Kelley McGinnis Parsons (Matt); Katie Gavagni; and Kevin, Claire and Brian Coppola. He had three great-grandchildren, Emma, Calvin and Luke.

Visiting hours will be from 6 to 7:30 pm, followed by 30 minutes of remembrances of Dan, on Thursday, October 8 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, NC. A Funeral Mass will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 9 at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fine Arts League of Cary or the SECU Family House at UNC Hospital.