It's very strange for me to see everyone calling him John, because to me he will always be my cousin Phillip.  I have so many memories from our early years in Springfield - countless card games, Christmases, Easters at our grandmother's house.  The time he decided to take his baby brother a ride in the car when he was around 13 (I'll let you tell this story, Kevin).  Picking me up at the airport when Dad was dying in Palm Beach Gardens, and taking me to the airport for that very sad flight home.  So many memories.  I will always be most grateful for the kindness he showed my mom during the horrible period that we spent during Daddy's last couple of months of life.  He came and took her to the hospital so often, and stayed with her and went into ICU with Dad - even though he hated hospitals.  I still can't believe he's gone.  I love all of you - and you will forever be in my heart.

I didn't want to post this photo, even thou it was my favorite of Phil, because Jamie colored it when she was about 2.But now I realized, that she picked Phils picture to color, because he was so special! So here it is!

what can i say about john we were great friends for over 30 years im going to miss him very much. i would never know when he was going to show up at my house with a carton of cigs and a tank of gas road trip and we had many. i miss you very much god bless.

Maria,
When we lose someone we love, we lose a part of ourselves.  They are never forgotten, we have to show our love by showing honor to them.  I hope you will be able to enjoy the memories you had with your husband.  After reading through the other memories, it is obvious that John was a very good man.  May God bless you in this time of sorrow.

Papa was a very special person. The number of special memories I have with him in it are many. All those days we would go to that comic book store by his house to get goodness who knows how many packs of Pokémon cards then go back to his house where he would hide them and we'd play Hot n' Cold until I found them all. The time where we went on a trip and at the hotel arcade he basically won me enough tickets so I could get a glass dragon figurine; twice because the first one mysteriously disappeared the day we were supposed to check out. Visiting him at his office at the airport, his advice and support at my bowling tournaments inside and outside of school, and all the hours we used to talk about the PS2 games we shared- the problems we had and hints to get through them as completely as possible. How he would come over every Thanksgiving and sneak the dogs ham under the table before creaming everyone at Uno. And all the times he would take me to and from school along with all the times we'd spontaneously go out to brunch or lunch while we talked about anything under the sun. He was an amazing Papa whose memory I will always treasure.

I suppose there is a lot of things I could say about Papa, yet I honestly have no words to describe it. My papa was a unique person, who always made me laugh and always messed with me by doing something, and then claiming he hadn't done or seen a thing. But some of my favorite things that we did together were playing UNO, and spending Thanksgiving and Christmas together. He would always bring a jar of money and pour it over my head, tellign me to pick it up and sort it into an even amount in four piles. Sure, seems pretty funny right? You're aren't the one that had to count it all. But even better than that, was that every Thanksgiving, Papa and my family would sit together, and after we ate, we would play our annual game of UNO. I would always sit next to him, and no matter how hard I tried, he would always nail me with the Draw 4s, the Skips, etc. We would usually go out for breakfast or lunch during the summer, and that was fun to, but I suppose I could have gone more often. It won't be the same without Papa around. But he's not really gone per say. You see, a few weeks ago, I couldn't find one of my note-taking homework sheets, and I was frantic. I checked all over the couch, my desk, my backpack...nothing. So I ended up printing a fresh copy off of Edline and did it there instead. But the next morning, I woke up and the ORIGINAL copy was sitting right there on a pillow in plain sight for all to see. No one had touched it the night before. I think of Papa putting it there and saying, "Hey Rebecca, it was right here all along." and then laughing about it. Well haha Papa. I find that SO funny. -.-
But I love you Papa. And I'll miss you forever and ever. But you better not scare me and steal my homework like that again...okay it was pretty funny.
Love yah Papa. :)

I knew something was wrong when my owners didn't greet me at the door, or at least tell me to get down. None of them said a word. I suppose I didn't think anything of it at first, but now that I think back to it, it makes sense. My second clue was when the big guy didn't appear on that particular day when everyone is usually excited and me and my brother get extra cookies and stuff to chew. My brother hasn't realized that something terrible has happened, given he is so young, but even I would think that he would have realized by now. I have a feeling the big guy isn't coming back. Who's going to scratch my belly on those special days he used to come over, or secretly feed me human food under the table? Especially ham. Ohhhh...the ham is so good. Now what am I gonna do? I suppose I could beg my owners for ham, but it won't be the same. I suppose all I can do is try my best to help my owners and to start working on my puppy face...

I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO THE KELLY FAMILY , WHAT I remember most was the kind of man john was, no matter what, he did not like to lose [ seldom did ] board games , card games , poker , relaxing round of golf ,bowling became competive ,if you won you earned it .funny ,intregity , honest ,always there for you ,1st. class father and grandfather ,just a few of his traits ,theres many more ,his legacy will live on in "cupcake" I see you I see your dad ,which is a good thing .move-on to the future and make him proud , I know you will.he is a BRO who will be missed.

There are many things I will always remember about my dad. The Saturdays we would spend together, the yellow duster that he built in the drive way and I would go out to help and he would tell me "this car is going to pass everything except the gas stations", his many drawings of rat fink, him playing poker, how he would always make me get a calculator to figure out a math a problem when he knew the answer all along, the drives along the beach,teaching me how to shoot a gun, teaching me how to drive, the many, many, many trips to Disney World and him always saying that "I think I am good for one more last trip", how he would always find a bench and say I will be right here when you are done, my 13th Birthday, how he hated all of my boyfriends, how he never let me live down that I was 16 years old when I got my first pair of Guess jeans and yet Sarah got hers at 2 years old, the times we went out to breakfast, my father-daughter dance; we danced to "Daddy's Hands" and he was so happy, the money tree he gave us every Christmas and my girls had to divide an odd amount of money 4 different ways evenly (and it was never even), the way he would always feed my dogs human food under the table then look at me as if what did I do, and most of all how he adored my girls. I could go on forever because my dad gave me so many great memories but the greatest gift he gave to me was his love. I will miss you and think of you everyday I know where you are now there is no pain and you are happy. Even though it is hard for me to accept I will always be comforted knowing I will always have an angel watching over me. This poem made me think of you:
I cried when you passed away
I still cry today
Although I loved you dearly
I could not ask you to stay
A golden heart stopped beating
Hard working hands to rest
God broke my heart to prove to me
That he only takes the best.

I love you daddy..Your loving daughter.

My fondest memory of my son-in-law that I have always cherished happened at Sandy's wedding in 1993. Sandy and Phil were doing the father/daughter dance. Sarah ran up to them. Phil scooped her up and continued the dance with his two girls. The vision of all three of them dancing has stayed with me. Phil was a special person who loved his family deeply. Rest in peace!

We will all miss uncle Phil, we just have to remember that he has gone to a better place and we will all see him again, so instead of morning his death until we meet again lets celebrate his life because he is watching from heaven and would want us to enjoy our lives as much as he enjoyed his life. I know loss is painful but try to replace the pain of loss with the joy of all the good times you have shared with uncle Phil. Until we meet again, love you uncle Phil.

There really isn't much to say that hasn't already been said -- John was a great guy who lived his life honestly and with integrity.  I really enjoyed our times together, whether at work or on the golf course.  He could always make me laugh, but I knew he always had my back.  He will be missed.

Marie and Sandy and Family, My deepest condolences. Iknew John for many years.When I would come down to vist dad[Ray Handling]. Sandy or John would make sure I had a good time.He was a good step-brother to me.  Delores Snyder,Springfield,Ohio

Dear Maria, Sandy and family,
Though we may no longer see John (Phil) with our eyes, we will feel him.  The impression of his friendship on our lives is permanent.  Missing him is natural, but remembering him is a blessing.  Thank you for sharing him with us.

Dear Maria,
I was saddened to hear of the loss of your husband.  I know this is a difficult time, and you have been in my thoughts.  I hope you can take strength and find comfort from the wonderful family you and he had together. I am here for you, as are so many other friends at our office. 
Wishing your family peace,

Dear Sandy, Mike and girls, my heart hurts for you. I know the feeling of losing a father early. Sandy I never met your Father but I know what kind of man he was by the daughter he raised. The true measure of a man is his family and I know that your father was loved dearly. These are not things that are accidentally earned or given. Your father worked his entire life for his family because that's what mattered most to him. It's very clear how much he was loved and how much he loved all of you. Honor your father by continuing to raise your daughters to the high standards that you were taught. Trust me as your friend and as a son, as a father and as a grandfather that nothing would make him prouder. Love and enjoy today, forget yesterday and don't worry about tomorrow. Proud to call you Cousin, Love you

This is for our daughter, Sandra, and our grand-daughters, Sarah and Rebecca.

Phil, you stole my heart 43 years ago with your humor, whit, and charm. 

Like all couples, we have had our bad times and good times. But the bad times were few and far between. Now it seems that all I remember are the good times and the close friendship that we had. I will miss your physical presence beside me and the shoulder to lean on. But, you will be there in my heart always.

With all my love...always
Maria

Memories….. My first trip to Disney World AND Phil taking me on my first roller coaster ride, on Space Mountain, forwards and backwards (twice); the look of terror on Phil's face as he ran through the waves towards me, screaming at me to get out because there was a shark in the water, and me laughing about it after (he was only half amused); digging through his music collection and discovering I loved BTO, introducing me to actual good rock; almost lighting up Storm King Mountain with a firework; how much fun you had with Phil, he was definitely not one for a dull moment! Peace, Phil.
Love,
Anna

OBITUARY

John P. Kelly

August 11, 1949 – December 19, 2012

Dorsey - E. Earl Smith Funeral Home and Lake Worth Memory Gardens

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