Published in the Anchorage Daily News on 3/21/2007.
Longtime Alaskan Thomas Roger Kelly, 64, died peacefully in his sleep March 6, 2007,
at his Anchorage home, of natural causes.
A f uneral Mass was March 10 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
Tom was born June 24, 1942, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Thomas E. Kelly and Clara Rechin
Kelly. He graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo and accepted a position with the
Centers for Disease Control in New York City, where he met his wife Barb. They were
married in Hudson, Ohio, and spent four years in Cleveland, Ohio.
In 1978, Tom and his wif e moved to Alaska, where they raised their children. In 1985, he
accepted a position with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. He was
also a successful business owner.
Tom coached Abbott O Rabbit Little League baseball and softball for many years. He
enjoyed camping, hiking and f ishing with his family in the summer. He loved sports of all
kinds as well as traveling with his wife.
"Tom was our rock, the glue that held us close," his family wrote. "He loved his family
more than anything and had unwavering devotion to God and country. He taught by
example how to live with passion, integrity and honesty. He reminded us never to go to
bed angry at the ones we love, and we will always miss him."
Tom is survived by his mother, Clara Kelly of Buffalo, N.Y.; brother, Paul Kelly of
Friendship, N.Y.; wif e, Barbara Kelly of Anchorage; son, Michael Kelly of Orem, Utah;
daughter, Kristin Kelly of Maui, Hawaii; son and daughter­in­law, Brian and Jolene Kelly
of Anchorage; grandchildren, Cory, Ayla and Connor; and numerous relatives and
f riends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas E. Kelly, and cousin, Roger Kelly of
Buffalo, N.Y.