Born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1918, Kelly spent 10 years at a seminary before deciding that the Roman Catholic priesthood was not for him and that he wanted a family.

In 1943, Kelly moved to California, and in 1944 he was introduced to a neighbor girl named Eileen. After waiting for three years for their families to approve, the two were married and moved to Willow Glen, where they would raise their five children.

"My father was very involved in our lives and wanted us to get a good education. He insisted we go to private schools," says daughter Kristina Cunningham.

Kelly was, at one time, the president of the Presentation High School parents' group and spent much of his time helping his children with their school projects or after-school activities.

"He was a very involved father. We could always count on Dad if a group of us kids wanted to go to a movie or a dance. We knew he would take us," said Cunningham.

Kelly enjoyed traveling and learning languages. At the time of his death he was familiar with at least six different languages, including French, German, Latin and Hebrew.

Kelly's French was useful when he went to Haiti to spearhead the building of a sanitation school.

"People were dying because they didn't know to move the outhouses away from their water supply," said Cunningham.

As a housing supervisor for the city of San Jose, Kelly was responsible for one of the grants used to begin remodeling the downtown area of San Jose. He retired in 1980.

During his 41 years in Willow Glen, he was an active member of his community, volunteering as a Eucharistic minister and visiting the sick and disabled members of his church.

Kelly also enjoyed spending time on the golf course with his best friend, Bob Leininger, and attending daily Mass.

Kelly is survived by his wife, Eileen, daughters Sharon Grover, Kristina Cunningham, Theresa Warren, Kathleen Puffer and son Gene Kelly, as well as his 10 grandchildren.

Funeral services have been held. Donations in Kelly's name can be made to Sacred Heart Community Service, 1381 S. First St., San Jose, 95110, or to Presentation High School, 2281 Plummer Ave., San Jose, 95125.