James J. Kelly, III

WARE - James J. Kelly III, 76, passed away suddenly on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Bay State Wing Hospital in Palmer, and made the great quantum leap into the cosmos.  Jim was born in Ware, MA to the late Leamana (Grenevich) Terry and James Kelly II.  Jim leaves his brother, Paul (Marie) Kelly, and his step-sisters, Marcia Terry and Gayle Bordeau.  Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Kathleen Terry, step-father Robert Terry, a nephew Jonathan Lawrence, step-brothers Richard Terry and David Terry, and many friends.

Jim is survived by daughters Kristen (James) Hilton, (Charlton, MA), Rebecca (Ben) Wenning (Coldwater, OH), and Elizabeth (Matt) House (Coldwater, OH). He was a proud grandpa to 6 grandchildren (Cheyenne, Jack, Jacob, Tate, Ty, Clara), a great-granddaughter (Harper), and many nieces and nephews.

Jim graduated from Tantasqua High School (Fiskdale, MA) in 1963 where he was a star baseball and basketball player. He also played semi-pro baseball post-high school in Oxford, Mass.He was a veteran of the National Guard, a dedicated employee of Ludlow Papers, and The United States Postal Service at their Springfield Regional Center, where he retired in 2010.  

He loved his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, golf, nature, and the company of his friends.  

Jim found immense wonder in the beauty of the Quabbin Reservoir and was always on the hunt for a great fish dinner. He loved following New England sports teams, going to see movies, and hunting deer with his stepfather and uncles. He was generous, witty, and loved deep conversations about astronomy. He taught his daughters to play ball, instilled a passion for Jethro Tull, Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Westerns, and Stephen King.

To celebrate Jim’s life, his daughters and their families invite friends and family to a social gathering and luncheon at Teresa’s Restaurant Banquet Room on Friday, November 26th.  An informal calling will be held from 11:30-12:30, with lunch following at 12:30 until 2:00. We would love to see everyone and hear stories of Jim’s life.

Due to the unique circumstances, gracious accommodations by Teresa’s, and the Thanksgiving holiday, we ask that no flowers or gifts be brought in. Instead, please make a donation in Jim’s name to The Friends of Quabbin, Inc., 485 Ware Road, Belchertown, MA, 01007. 

Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant St., in Ware is assisting his family with arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James J. Kelly, III, please visit our floral store.