Robert J. Kelly
August 12, 1939 - December 19, 2025
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Obituary for Robert J. Kelly
Robert J. Kelly, of Milton entered into eternal life on December 19, 2025 after a long illness which was the result of complications from Covid.
He was the son of the late John F. and Anne T. (Mangan) Kelly and the brother of the late John F. Kelly, Jr. Bob was the beloved husband, best friend, and soulmate of Kathleen I. Tyrell for the past 20 years. He was predeceased by his dear wife, Mary (McCarthy) Kelly, with whom he shared a long, loving, and beautiful marriage and 5 children. Bob cherished his five children and their spouses – Robert and Pilar Kelly, Matthew and Christine Kelly, Mary Beth and Diarmuid Maye, John and Nancy Kelly, and Peter and Mary Ellen Kelly. He was the proud grandfather of Alexandra, William, Helen, Christine, Maxwell, Patrick, Elizabeth, Owen, Peter, Grace, Nicholas, and Olivia.
For Bob, life was about family. He had a lifelong friendship with his beloved cousin Bridget (Fleming) Welch, whom he adored. He loved his Boston, Chicago, County Cavan, Mayo, and Roscommon cousins dearly. He was honored to be the godfather of Thomas Daley and Meghan Duffy. Bob was the special brother-in-law of Sheila and Peter Arens, Joan and Richard Curtis, Patricia Hammill, Patricia and James McCarthy, Ann Marie, John, and William Tyrell and the late James Hammill and Fr. Joseph McCarthy.
Bob was a United States Administrative Law Judge who retired at what he considered to be the respectable age of 80, after 41 years as a federal judge. Judge Kelly was firm but compassionate, and approached his work with thoughtfulness and a deep respect for the law. He was a devout Catholic who taught Confirmation classes, adored his family, loved Popponesset Beach, Washburn Island, Peddocks Island, the Clover Club, the Dorchester Yacht Club, and books. A son of Irish immigrants, Bob was proud of his roots and was a Past President of the Eire Society of Boston. Bob grew up in the Fields Corner neighborhood of Dorchester. He valued his Jesuit education at Boston College High School and Boston College, and was also a graduate of New England School of Law. Bob always gave back to his community serving as a Milton Town Meeting Member and Chair of the Planning Board for over 25 years.
A sincere thank you is given to the kind and caring staff at Hebrew Senior Life in Roslindale, Beth Israel - Boston, Atrius Health, the Irish Connection, the Milton Fire Department, and the Milton Police Department.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, St. Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, Monday, December 29 at 11:30 am. Visiting hours are omitted and interment is private.
Prayers, especially to the Blessed Mother, are requested for this good and faithful man.
Services
Mass of Christian Burial
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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Tributes
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Surya Sapra planted 10 trees in memory of Robert J. Kelly . - December 26, 2025
Condolences
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January 06, 2026
Dear Kathleen and all Bob's family. Our sincere condolences to you all on the sad passing of Bob..We have lovely memories of you and Bob visiting us here in Cloneash..My father Michael Kelly was so proud of Bob and spoke of him often..A lovely man who will be terribly missed by you all..May Bob Rest in Peace.. Marie Kelly (Greene) and family Cloneash. Co. Roscommon.
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January 04, 2026
I worked as a hearing assistant to Judge Kelly from 1975 to 1982. He was a class act. He always tried to be fair and weigh the evidence presented to him, but he was also very compassionate to the plight of the disabled individuals who appeared before him. May he be rest in peace for a job well done with his family and with his professional life.
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January 01, 2026
My sincere condolences to Kathleen and to Bob's extended family and friends on the sad passing of Bob. We are thinking of you all at this difficult time. Bob was a kind gentle soul who will be missed dearly, from Sadie Kelly Cloneash/Curraghboy, Co. Roscommon ( Bob's first cousin).
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December 30, 2025
Dear Kathleen and family, we offer our sincere sympathy on the passing of Bob. We have fond memories of Bob when he visited Cloneash, Co. Roscommon to meet his Irish family and we are thinking of you all at this sad time. Bob is the first cousin of my grandad (Michael Kelly RIP) who always mentioned how proud he was of Bob in America. Glenn Kelly (grandson of Michael and Breda Kelly on behalf of the family). Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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December 29, 2025
Deepest sympathy to Marybeth and your brothers and extended family's Luke and Maura Maye.Rockingham Boyle F52FN80
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December 29, 2025
Our condolences go to Kathleen and all of Bob's family. He was a sparkling neighbor on Russell Street and always a pleasure to be with on the trolley or at neighborhood parties. Ted Wendell
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December 28, 2025
To the Kelly family - my sincere condolences. I appeared before Judge Kelly many times when I was in practice. A true gentlemen who always respected those who appeared before him. Hold tight to you memories. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal." It was an honor to know him.
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December 26, 2025
Thoughts and Prayers for the Kelly Family.Bobby was a 2rd cousin,I haven't seen him in many years,but he was a fun ,thoughtful man,who always was so good to his family and friends..RIP Bobby
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December 26, 2025
My deepest sympathy to Kathleen and all of Bob's family. My brother Maurice (Moe) was best friend with Bob at B.C. and in law school. After Moe died young, Bob helped his widow and family over many years and that's how you know a good man. He'll be missed . Ken Ford.
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December 25, 2025
Hi, Our deepest sympathy to of Roberts extended family from his cousins and friends in Ireland. My Grandmother was Bridget Kelly form Cloneash, She would have been, His fathers (John (jun)Kellys Aunt. My name is John Loughnane, Mountbell, Belmont, Drumsna, County Leitrim, N41 FH24
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December 24, 2025
I first met Bob at BC High, and then through BC and Law School. My first wife Mary Lou, Bob and Mary were our best friends. I can't number the good memories I have of him, and can only say that he was the man I wish I could have been,. That's how much i admired him. He was a real man in all respects. Frank Olivieri
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December 24, 2025
Kathleen & All of Bob's Family.....Thinking of you at this Most Difficult Time of pro found loss. Keeping you in my prayers.
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December 24, 2025
Bob, Matt, Mary Beth, Peter and John, I have so many wonderful memories of your dad that they are too numerous to put here. From my parents parties at their home on Martin Road to the beach days on Poponesset, there were memories made and cherished. My first time taking part in a political campaign was holding a sign for him after the Blizzard of 78 as he ran for the Milton Planning Board. He was a man of strong ethics and leadership who will be missed, Susan McNulty Bertram
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December 24, 2025
Dear Kathleen our sincerest condolences to you and all Bobbys family on his passing, it was really lovely to have spent time with him when he came to Ireland, also how good you both were to Grainne and her friend Aoishe when they were in Boston, love to you all. Lil and Martin Cavan Ireland xx
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December 24, 2025
Dearest Kathleen and family, please allow us to convey our sympathies on the sad passing of Bob. We thought dearly of him. Let it be a consolation that Willie was waiting for him and is surely guiding him as Bob is all of you. Beannachtaí agus grá, Pauline, Davina, Christina & William Kelly ♥️
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