Page 29 - North Haven Magazine Issue 36 Holiday 2024

Members of the Tomahawk Club missing Fred Kelly Receiving the Gold Key Award along with the North Haven
from the photo is Mr Vic Florio Football Team for Outstanding contributions to his Community.
In addition to his exploits with the Ed Pepe had an especially close what we give.” Fred gave limitless
North Haven athletic program, Mr. relationship with Fred Kelly. He love and devotion to his family,
Kelly was also a man of deep faith worked with him very closely as a friends, and his community. His life
who was very active in his church, member of the Tomahawk Club. made a profound difference to all.”
volunteering countless hours, first As he recently related to me, he Patti Buller offered the following
at St. Barnabas Catholic Church and his wife, Susan, developed assessment: “Pop was known for
and later at St. Francis Cabrini. He an especially close bond with Mr. his love and support of all North
joined the Knights of Columbus Kelly. Both Ed and Susan had lost Haven sports. He was a fundrais-
and received the Knights of Colum- their fathers at a young age, and, in er and cheerleader for every sport
bus Chair Award for his outstand- many ways, he had become like a and team in town. He supported
ing dedication and commitment. second father to them. In story af- both girls’ and boys’ sports. He
ter story that they recently related was also an affectionate, loving
While his work within the com- to me, I developed the picture of husband, dad and grandfather.
munity of North Haven speaks for a man who saw the best in every- Even after my divorce from his
itself, what most impressed me one and who strove every day to son, Charlie, nothing changed. We
about this man was the love and create special memories with his spent holidays together and he at-
affection he exhibited toward his loved ones and was always there tended my grandchildren’s games
family members and those with for them through thick and thin. with us. Being a part of Pop’s life
whom he was especially close. Whether it was consoling a family was an honor, and I will always
When I was the varsity basketball member going through a difficult treasure our time together.”
coach at North Haven, I once had time, having a special dance with
the occasion to visit Mr. Kelly at his his daughter, Patsy, at the numer- I recently saw a billboard that said,
home to pick up some equipment ous Tomahawk Club dances that “Everyone dies, but not everyone
that the Tomahawk Club had pur- were held each year, attending one truly lives.” Underneath the quote,
chased for the team. As I walked up of his grandchildren’s games, giv- there was a picture of young peo-
his driveway, I could see that he was ing a Silver Dollar in a leather ro- ple at a party enjoying themselves.
working in his garage. It was about sary pouch to Ed and Susan Pepe’s While there is nothing wrong with
a week before Christmas and as I son, Anthony when he was his having a good time, there is much
got closer to him, I could see that confirmation sponsor or bringing more to life than just seeking one
he was working on the creation of Susan Pepe and his ex-daughter- pleasurable experience after an-
a money tree for his wife, Ellen. I in-law, Patti Buller, a red rose in a other. Fred Kelly understood that
was especially impressed with the vase every time he visited them, it is in the giving that we receive.
great care he was taking in creating Fred Kelly knew how to shower his That is why, when his family had
this masterpiece. I knew right then family members and those clos- a special celebration for him on
and there that I was in the pres- est to him with love, affection and his 90th birthday, so many family
ence of an extraordinary man who consolation. members and friends gathered to
understood the true meaning of pay tribute to him. Fred Kelly was a
life. As he ever so delicately placed Perhaps the life of Fred Kelly could man of deep faith who offered his
each dollar on the tree, I could see best be summed up by comments life as a sacrifice for his country, his
that he was pouring out his heart that were recently made to me by community and his family. He was
and soul for the woman, who on Susan Pepe and Patti Buller. In re- a man who truly lived and is some-
their wedding day, he had made a flecting on her experiences with one that each of us would do well
vow to love and cherish all the days him, Susan said, “Fred lived by the to admire and emulate. He is a true
of his life. What an example for a quote made famous by Winston hero of yesteryear.
young man to observe. I never for- Churchill: “We make a living by
got what I witnessed on that day. what we get, but we make a life by

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