John “Jack” H. Kelly

MAYVILLE- John “Jack” H. Kelly, 85, of Mayville, NY, and formerly of Buffalo, NY, passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2024, at UPMC Chautauqua Hospital following a brief illness.

He was born August 26, 1938, in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late John and Dorothy Mitchell Kelly.

Jack was a 1957 graduate of Clarence Central High School. He had worked as a manager for General Motors in Lockport, NY where he retired from. Jack had also worked for Paychex delivering paychecks to businesses in the Western NY area. He had also been in the Army Reserves for many years.

Jack was a member of the William L. Travis Mayville American Legion Post 493, and the St Mary’s RC Parish in Swormville, NY. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, feeding the birds, bowling, playing football in his youth, cutting the grass and yardwork for friends and family, cheering for his New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills, and spending time with family and his many friends.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sherryl McCrea Hunt Kelly, whom he married March 28, 2007 in St Petersburg, FL, three daughters; Luann Kelly-Rudd of St Augustine, FL, Kathleen (Russell) Lewis of Lancaster, NY, and Brenda (Paul) Faith of Butler, OH, five step-children; Roderic (Mary) Hunt of Mayville, NY, Pamela Hunt of Fort Myers, FL, Shelly (Timothy) Bowen of Ripley, NY, Cheryl (Joe Russo) Hunt of Salt Lake City, UT, and Christa Hunt of San Francisco, CA, eight grandchildren who affectionately referred to him as “Poppy Jack”; Jonathan (Tiffany) Kelly, Marshall Troidl, Timothy Kelly, Stephen (Jamie) Kelly, Jason (Jolene) Faith, Jessica James, Mitchell Faith, and Wyatt Faith, nine great grandchildren who affectionately referred to him as “Great Poppy Jack”; Tyler, Liam, Alyssa, Kyeleigh, Emma, Carolyn, Lilith, Kenzi and Emberly, one sister, Linda (Mark) Zehler, many nieces and nephews, his dear friends Mark and Debbie Perry and his beloved little dog, Barkley.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Lou Thuman Kelly, and a son-in-law, Skyler Rudd.

At Jack’s request, there will be no public services observed. A private celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations can be made to the Mayville Rescue Squad (PO Box 2, Mayville, NY 14757) or the Chautauqua County Humane Society (2825 Strunk Rd, Jamestown, NY 14701).

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com