Obituary - Paul H. Kelly

Paul H. Kelly - July 20, 1943 - October 19, 2017

Paul H. Kelly passed away peacefully at his home in Merritt Island, Florida on October 19, 2017 at the age of 74.  A native of Kings Park, Paul also resided in Palm Coast, FL and Orange County, NY.

He is survived by his loving and devoted family:  Wife Maureen (McEvoy), daughters Sharron (Gregory) Jones, Lauren (Thomas) Mayfield, son Jonathan (Brigid) Kelly, and Step-Sons Adam (Corinne) Atri and Abel Atri. He leaves four grandsons, Charles and Thomas Triolo, James Mayfield, Sidd Atri, and an expected Mayfield grandson in 2018.  He also leaves three brothers, James (Patricia), Francis (Marie), and Lawrence (Diane) Kelly, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who will mourn his loss.

Paul retired from the New York State Office of Mental Health in 1996, where his last position was Director of the NYS Out-Patient Mental Health Clinic in Peekskill, NY.  He started his career in 1961 at Kings Park State Hospital, with 1962 to 1965 away for service in the United States Army, 3^rd Infantry Division, in West Germany.

In 1971 Paul graduated with a Diploma in Nursing from KPSH, and became an RN psychiatric nurse.  He subsequently earned a BSN from SUNY Stony Brook, a Masters in Counseling from Long Island University, and a Masters of Health Care Administration from The New School for Social Research.  He served in a number of professional, teaching, and administrative posts in the NYS Office of Mental Health on Long Island, NYC, and Upstate New York.

Paul was an avid history buff, who over the course of his life amassed a substantial personal library.  He shared his love of history and learning with his children and his wife Maureen, with whom he retired to Florida in 2004.  He was also a talented drummer, playing with several informal jazz and rock bands on Long Island and Germany; the Suffolk County PD Pipe and Drum Band in the 1970s-1980s, and the Coastal Florida Police & Fire Pipes and Drums.

No one who knew Paul will ever forget his loving kindness, compassion, humor, and wit.  He was a mentor, leader, father, and friend.  He will be sorely missed.  

A Life Celebration will be held in Smithtown, NY on November 11, 2017 for local family and friends.  Please contact Lawrence Kelly for details:  HYPERLINK “mailto:lwkelly113@gmail.com” lwkelly113@gmail.com.  Memorial donations may be made to a cancer research organization of your choice.