Thomas Anthony Kelly

THOMAS ANTHONY KELLY, age 99, passed away August 24, 2017 at the Regina Health Center in Richfield, OH, following a protracted struggle with dementia. Born May 31, 1918, the second son of Thomas Anthony Kelly and Marion E. Kelly (nee Vogt), in Brooklyn, New York, he spent his preschool years there with his older brother, William,  before moving to Cleveland where his brother Robert was born.  Tom graduated from Holy Name High School where he played clarinet in the band and saxophone in a small combo.  During school he worked part-time at Fisher Foods.  After high school, while the depression was in full swing, he needed work and was fortunate to secure a full-time position with Fisher Foods.  He attended night school at Spencerian Business College for accounting and business.  He remained at Fisher Foods, rising from store manager, to manager to assistant, to the director of all new stores, while in his early 20’s, and held that position until being called to serve in the Army in July 1942.  After basic training, Tom was assigned to an Artillery unit and later selected to attend Officers Candidate School, graduating in January 1943 as a second Lieutenant.  Soon after being commissioned, he volunteered to train as a liaison pilot.  Tom learned to fly a single engine observation plane for reconnaissance and artillery support.  Before transferring to Europe, and while on leave, he married the love of his life, Helen, on April 15, 1943.  They were great partners together for 63 years until her passing in 2006.  After learning how to fly, and extensive training, Tom sailed to Europe with his squadron of four pilots and eight planes in crates.  After assembling and training in England, his unit was ordered to France in December 1944.  Held back by weather, his orders were to fly the channel and find his division somewhere in France, which he did.  His unit, Twelfth Armored, was later assigned to the Seventh Army and engaged in significant combat action in France and Germany from late 1944 until the end of the war in May 1945.  On April 17, 1945, after flying 98 low level combat missions over enemy ground, he landed his aircraft near Forsbach, Germany to warn an infantry unit of an ambush, was struck by shrapnel from enemy artillery and hospitalized in Bar le Duc, France.  Discharged in March 1946, with the rank of Captain, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters.  Recalled to active duty for the Korean War in 1951, he served as a flight instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Characteristic of his generation, he rarely spoke of his service.  In his early 90’s he volunteered to participate in the oral history program for the World War II Museum, where his family first learned of many of his experiences. Returning to Cleveland and Fisher Foods, he enjoyed raising his family and building a successful career in the retail grocery business.  Fisher Foods was sold in the early 1960’s to the Fazio-Costa Organization, which later acquired a chain of stores in Southern Ohio.  In March 1970, Tom took over his new division as Vice President and General Manager.  He served admirably for ten years, retiring in 1980 after 44 years in the business, save only his two tours of military service.  Tom and Helen moved to Tampa, Florida, where he served as President and General Manager of Pebble Creek Country Club, affiliated with a real estate development built by his brother, Bob and his partners.  Tom loved this challenge (and golf) and held this position for several years until retiring again in 1986.  Tom enjoyed  his family, his friends, his faith (and golf) and always maintained a sense of gratitude and integrity.  He is survived by sons, Thomas A. (Kathleen) of Medina, James M. (Dana) of Cincinnati, Timothy P. (Bonnie Pullara) of Cleveland, and Christopher W. of Naples, FL; grandchildren, Rachel Caroniti (Joseph), Thomas J. (Sarah), Brian (Jennifer), Andrew, John (Amanda), Erin and Kelly Goodstein, great-grandchildren, Gianna, Enzo, Grace, Jack and Oliver, and sister-in-law, Betty Kelly of San Antonio, TX.  Preceeded in death by his beloved wife, Helen and brothers, William (Mariellen, deceased) and Robert.  Our family thanks all the loving people who cared for Tom while he was at St. Mary of the Woods and Regina Health Center.  Contributions may be made to Regina Health Center, Sisters of the Incarnate Word or the charity of your choice. Funeral Service in the Chapel at Regina Health Center, 5232 Broadview Rd., Richfield, Tuesday, August 29 at 11 a.m. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.  Friends received in the Chapel at Regina Health Center, Tuesday from 9-11 a.m.