SOUTH GLENS FALLS--- Joseph T. Kelly, of South Glens Falls, on July 25th moved on to join his ancestors and now waits for his family and friends to eventually join him. Joe celebrated his wife's 70th birthday party on the 15th of July and now his family wishes to have one last gathering for him before his burial.
Joseph was born in New York City in January of 1938; a grandson to an immigrant from Ireland. His parents were Joseph L. Kelly and Alice (Manning) Kelly. His mother died a few months after his birth. A few years later his father joined the Army to fight in WWII and Joseph was raised by his aunt Marie Minard and her husband Raymond.
A few weeks after graduating high school, Joseph joined the Air Force serving from July 1955 until 1959. A few years after he left the Air Force he began dating Mary Kistner. Eventually the two became engaged and were married in 1968. Mary often said "I knew he was the man for me the night he carried my ball back to the car after a night of bowling with friends."
Joseph and Mary moved to Glen Cove for a short time but eventually settled in South Glens Falls where they raised four children. Joseph worked for over 30 years at the Finch Pryun paper mill in Glens Falls and retired in 1999. Mary worked for many years at the Joy store until she became disabled from two brain aneurisms.
Joseph loved sports and was very active with his children. He coached many baseball teams for his three sons and helped with his daughter in softball. He enjoyed baseball and watching the N.Y. Mets. He also loved the N.Y. Giants and every football season you can bet the games were on. As fans go only one of his sons agreed with his love of the Giants and the other two became devout Chicago Bear and Washington Redskin fans, creating some intense and competitive Sundays in the house. Oh and did I mention loud, very loud. Go skins! Sorry dad.
Josephs living family include his wife Mary; his daughter Mary Johnston and husband Rob and their children Jennifer and Elizabeth (Lizz); his son Joseph and his three children Cameron, Lucas and Grace-Lynn; his second son James; and his youngest son Raymond and his wife Jennifer and their two children Caleb and Kaiden.
Friends may call upon the family Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury.
Burial will follow at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville.

Donations may be made, in loving memory of Joseph, to Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Condolences may be mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or e-mailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.