Kelly Marx

Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Kelly attended Newark Academy before graduating from Cornell University in 1955. While at Cornell, he served as president of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and played on the Cornell basketball team.

Kelly served as an officer in the United States Navy aboard the USS Wisconsin for two years after graduating from Cornell, a role that reflected his strong sense of leadership and service.

Kelly spent his professional life as President and Owner of Clinton Milk Company, headquartered in Newark, a business founded by his father, Philip Marx, in 1921. He led the company until it was acquired by Parmalat in 1998, continuing a proud family legacy.

Deeply committed to his community, Kelly was responsible for raising millions of dollars for Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey, now known as Pillar Care Continuum, a school dedicated to serving children with cerebral palsy. His involvement reflected his lifelong belief in giving back and supporting those in need.

Because of his deep love of Israel and his Judaism, Kelly built the Philip Marx Mental Health Clinic in Ra’anana, Israel, in memory of his beloved father. This enduring act of philanthropy stands as a testament to his values, generosity, and commitment to healing and compassion.

Kelly was also a longtime member and past president of the Young Presidents Organization, an association he greatly valued for the lifelong friendships, leadership, and camaraderie it provided.

A longtime resident of Short Hills, Kelly will be remembered for his warmth, loyalty, and devotion to family. He took great pride in the large, blended family he helped build and cherished time spent across generations.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his children: Dan Marx and Kerri Popson, Michele Penn and David Minor, Jennifer Kaplan and Ari Rabban, and Adam and Melissa Lowy. He is also survived by his grandchildren Melanie and Adam Kaplan, Freddy and Lauren

Penn, Nicole and Brian Gallagher, Casey Marx, Ryan Lowy, and Devin Lowy, and his greatgrandchildren Milo Kaplan, Bowie Kaplan, Jack Penn, and Benjamin Gallagher.

A funeral service will be held at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, located at 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039 at 11am on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The family will be receiving guests from 10:15am-10:45am. The burial is private. Memorial Contributions can be made in Kelly's memory to the Pillar Care Continuum, formally known as Cerebral Palsey of North Jersey.