Gerard T. Kelly

Gerard “Jerry” Kelly, of Charlotte, NC passed away peacefully Monday, January 12th at the age of 93. Born in Worcester Massachusetts, he is the son of the late Thomas Francis Kelly and late Catherine Frances (Tucker) Kelly. He was married to his beloved wife, Patricia Ann Cunningham Kelly for 64 years before she preceded him in death in 2023. Jerry will always be remembered as our Happy Irish Guy.

The youngest of three children, he grew up in Worcester, MA graduating from St. Peters High School. In 1952, he enlisted in the United States Army serving as a medic nurse in the Korean War. Upon returning, he began a lengthy career with Crompton & Knowles Textile Machinery while at the same time earning a Business degree from Clark University (1964). As his sales role expanded, the family moved to Atlanta, GA in 1966 and then to Charlotte, NC in 1972.

Jerry met the love of his life, Patricia, through mutual friends. He asked her to dance, and the rest is history. Marrying 1958, they started their family shortly thereafter with four of their children arriving while living in Massachusetts. The fifth completed the family once in Atlanta.

Jerry loved living in Charlotte and seeing the change of each season. He especially loved that he could play golf year-round. He enjoyed helping coach Park Sharon Baseball, camping, and fishing. He was a devoted member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church for over 50 years and loved spending time with many dear friends and fellow parishioners through the ACES Senior Club.

During retirement Jerry became a doting grandfather, often taking his granddaughters to concerts, museums, swimming classes, the library and on his daily walks in South Park Mall.

Pat and Jerry enjoyed many years of travel, visiting Europe, Arizona, the western United States and returning to Massachusetts to see family. They had a trip of a lifetime visiting Ireland with relatives, kissing the Blarney Stone, and researching their family roots.

He is survived by his five children, daughter Eileen (Kelly) Alexander, sons, Paul Kelly, Stephen Kelly and Sean Kelly all of Charlotte and daughter Joan (Kelly) Stegall-Smith and her husband Robert of Winnsboro, SC; four grandchildren, Catherine Alexander, Mary Stegall-Smith, Tyler Stegall-Smith (Joanna) and Kelsey Stegall-Smith (Justin) He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is also preceded in death by his two sisters, Kathleen F. Kelly of Worcester and Dorothy M. Kelly McHugh of Virginia Beach, and his son-in-law, James Alexander of Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be offered in memory of Jerry to The Ivey: Dementia and Alzheimer's Day Care Center, St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, or Hospice Palliative Care of Charlotte.

A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 2pm Saturday February 14th, 2026 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church (6828 Old Reid Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210). Interment will follow at the Columbarium on Church grounds. There will be a reception and visitation in the Msgr. Pharr Activity Center.