Obituary of John Albert Kelly

John Kelly, beloved husband of Ione Kelly (nee Knaus), passed away peacefully at the Peter Lougheed Hospital on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the age of 94 _ years. John was born in Calgary and attended school in Winnipeg. He then became the first deaf student at SAIT, specializing in carpentry and metal works. John, along with his brother Ed, started the farm in 1938. John then married the love of his life Ione in 1948. Their farm successfully prospered, providing eggs to Stettler and surrounding district. John and Ione were able to overcome the obstacles of being born deaf successfully raising their four children and becoming valuable members of the community. Another astounding achievement is that John was the founding President of the Calgary Association of the Deaf. John joined the Stettler Rotary Club in 1960, and later became an active member of the Calgary South Rotary Club for the rest of his life. He was the very proud recipient of the Rotary “International Paul Harris Fellowship Award”, and then very honoured to be named as the Calgary Club’s “Distinguished Rotarian” for the year 2000. John and Ione retired in 1984 and shortly after that moved to Calgary where he stayed very active with his woodworking and volunteering. The Rotary Club could always count on John to sell tickets at the Stampede for the Dream Home, which he did every year including 2007. He volunteered at the Calgary Vocational Center, and the Calgary Food Bank, Salvation Army and of course the Calgary Association for the Deaf. John will be sadly missed by his wife and best friend of sixty years Ione; daughter Amy (John) Magnus; three sons, Jack (Dolores), Dale (Noreen)and Ron (Mui); as well as eleven grandchildren Kelly (Matt), Paul (Jen), Patti, Jacob, Jeanna (Tyler), Keri, (J.R.) Roxanne, Brian, Shawn, Michelle, and Linda; and great-grandchildren, Brianne, Taylor, Simone, Ben, and Paige. He will also be missed by brothers, Mil (Pauline) and Don (Cathy); sister Georgina; and sister-in-law Nora; along with many nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, and friends. John was predeceased by his parents George Edmund and Amy Kelly; his brothers Jerry, Ed and Bob; and brother-in-law Alan Boyd. John’s infectious smile and uncanny sense of humor will be missed by many. He was truly an inspiration to all. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services – 63 Cornell Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2L 0L4, or the charity of your choice. In living memory of John Kelly, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.