Peter F. Kelly, age 94, passed away peacefully with family at his side on November 11, 2020. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Rita Carrier Kelly. Peter was a life long resident of New Britain, CT. After serving in the US Navy during WWII, he completed training as a tool and dye maker. Most of his career was spent with the New Britain Machine Company, retiring in 1986. Peter and Rita married in 1947 and settled in their home town of New Britain. There, they raised six children which yielded eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren who were always the center of their lives. He was an enthusiastic NY Giants fan sharing his passion with his five boys. He was a relentless party guy enjoying the endless birthday, anniversary, graduation, and holiday parties celebrated with his huge family. He loved his new cars and spent lots of energy on shopping for them, shining them, and using them as a tool to pass on his mechanical talents. The highlight of every weekend in the Kelly family was a road trip adventure. All six kids piled into the back seat of the family car... really an adventure. That was his formula for a close family. In addition to his wife, Peter is also survived by his six children: Peter Kelly and his wife Lidia, of Bristol, his stepson Kenny Cockayne, his children: Shawnna Kelly of Berlin (her children Mackenzie, Morgan, and Aidan O'Connor), Ryan Kelly of Berlin (his children Grace and Braden), Trevor Kelly, SJ (Society of Jesus, Chicago, IL), and Spencer Kelly and his fiancée Olivia Giacoppi of Danbury; Nancy Kavalauskas of North Redding, MA, her children: Kerry and husband Joseph Capalbo of North Redding, MA (their children Matthew, Alexis, and Kayla), James Kavalauskas and wife Amy of Pelham, NH (their child Peter), Sarah and husband Thomas Christie, of Coppell, TX (their children Adelyn, Zachary, and Jacob); David Kelly and wife Luane, of Berlin, his children: Katie and husband Michael Kostin, of Killingworth (their children Natalie and Sofia), Adam Kelly and wife Khareem, of Bloomfield (their children Austin and Chase); Thomas Kelly of Farmington, his children: Brandon Kelly of Torrington (his children Jake and Kiera), Rachel Kelly and her fiancée David Sullivan, of Torrington; Paul Kelly of New Britain; and John Kelly of New Britain. A time of visitation will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave, New Britain at 8:30-9:00am, Funeral Mass will be celebrated immediately following at St. Francis of Assis Church, 1755 Stanley St, New Britain at 9:30am, with burial to follow at the State Veteran's Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown. Because of the current COVID-19 crisis, everyone will be required to wear masks and stay a safe distance. There will be no reception afterwards because of the extraordinary risks. For an online memorial, please visit www.NewBritainSagarino.com.
