George M. Kelley

He was born on February 10, 1926 in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. to the late Mary Frances and Edward Jeremiah Kelley of Scarsdale, N.Y.

He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Grammar School in Scarsdale and a basketball scholarship took him to Newman Prep in Lakewood N.J. He transferred to Iona Prep in New Rochelle, NY and captained both baseball and football teams for two years and was voted M.V.P. in football and lettered in basketball, swimming, track and tennis. George graduated in 1944 and received a record number of college scholarships. It is expected that an outstanding high school student and athlete would receive several scholarship offers from interested colleges, but George received a record of 18 from such schools as Princeton, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Duke, Alabama and Holy Cross. Before accepting any of these offers George entered the Army Air Corps.

George graduated with a degree in economics from The College of Holy Cross in 1950 where he was a standout athlete. While at Holy Cross George was awarded a contract to play baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1950, he was drafted by The Boston Braves of the National League and Los Angeles Rams of the American League in football. He continued his studies at Teachers College at Columbia University earning M.A. degrees in education, physical education and health.

In 1957, he accepted a math teacher position at Iona Prep where he also coached football, baseball and swimming. In 1958, he joined the faculty of Eastchester High School where he taught math and coached junior and varsity football. He retired in 1988. From 1970-1984 George was a football official and referee with the catholic and public school leagues. Following his retirement, George was a crossing guard for the Greenburgh Police Department.

Loving and devoted husband of 53 years to Gerri Sullivan of Larchmont, NY, together they raised seven children: Gerri Ogren and Jeff of South Salem, Jeanne Carney and Chris of Newtown, CT, Jacqueline Bohmert and Steve of Ramsey, N.J., George Kelley II and Marie of Orland Park, IL, Marianne Kelley and fianceé, Michael Lynch of Nantucket, MA, Kevin Kelley and Chimene of Montvale, NJ, and Kathryn Ciriello and Roger of Brookfield, CT. George will be missed by his 17 grandchildren: Shane and Kyle Ogren, Kelley-Anne, Kevin, Meaghan and Carney, Brian, Kathleen and Bridget Bohmert, Jack and Thomas Kelley, Brendan and Ryane Kelley and Timothy, Mary, Daniel and Grace Ciriello and thirteen nieces and nephews. His brothers Richard and Edward predeceased him.

George and his wife have been parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale for fifty years where he volunteered with the CCD program and other aspects of the church, including membership of The Holy Name Society and The Knights of Columbus.

The wake will be held at Bennett Funeral Home Scarsdale, N.Y. Saturday 2-6 PM Sunday 2-6 PM . The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 13, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church, Hartsdale, N.Y.

The burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in White Plains.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either The Alzheimer’s Association or Iona Preparatory School scholarship fund in George’s memory.