TOWN of EXETER-James Lawrence Kelley Jr. age 78 passed away on Thursday evening January 7, 2021, in Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center, Utica. He was born on July 27, 1942 in Utica, son of the late James Lawrence and Annabele Schrauger Kelley. Jim was raised and educated in Sauquoit. On January 23, 1965 he was united in marriage to the former Lucy Key in Saint Joseph's RC Church, Richfield Springs. It was that year that he moved to Richfield Springs from Sauquoit. A US Army veteran of the Vietnam War he was honorably discharged on March 31st1970 attaining the rank of Private First Class. Jim most recentlyhad a landscaping and mowing business; prior to this he worked for the Otsego County Highway Department as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He retired in 2018. Mr. Kelley had a strong faith in God and was a member of Saint Joseph the Worker RC Church in Richfield Springs. At one time he was a member of the Disabled Veterans of America, The Richfield Vets Club and the Schuyler Lake Volunteer Fire Department. In his leisure time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and socializing. To all who knew him, he was a wonderful husband and father. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his many friends and family, especially his cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. Kelley was motivated to always help others while looking for nothing in return. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Surviving him are his loving wife of fifty-five years Lucy, their children, Michael Kelley and wife Tina of Dry Ridge, KY, Cynthia Countryman and husband Adrian Scott of Fredericksburg, VA, Timothy Kelley and wife Heather of Newport, NC, Brian Kelley and wife Christina of Ilion, Michael Hagan of Richfield Springs, Kevin Kelley of NC, and Judy Foster and husband Michael of Richfield Springs, two brothers, William Kelley and Leo Kelley both of Rome, two sisters, Laurita Kelley of Syracuse and Margaret Stade of Geneseo, sixteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers,two sisters, and a great grandson. A Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Joseph the Worker RC Church, Richfield Springs and interment with military honors in Saint Joseph's Cemetery will take place later this spring at a time to be announced. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the American Heart Association, 125 Business Drive, Suite 106, Utica, NY 13502. Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs. Pending

Saturday, January 9, 2021