Kevin M. Kelley was born March 4‚ 1956 in Boston‚ Massachusetts to Thomas and Margaret Kelley. He died tragically on January 9‚ 2009 in the performance of his duties. He was a beloved husband; father‚ brother‚ uncle and friend to many.
Kevin joined the United States Army in 1973 after graduating from Don Bosco High School. While stationed in Texas‚ Kevin met the love of his life‚ his wife‚ Gloria. In 1978‚ Kevin received an honorable discharge from the Army and moved back home to Boston with Gloria. He married Gloria on October 20‚ 1979 and they had three daughters‚ Susan‚ Christine and Maureen.
Kevin was appointed to the Boston Fire Department on December 6‚ 1978. In 1988‚ he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. In 1989‚ he was assigned to Ladder Company 26 where he remained for twenty years. He received the Commissioner’s Unit Citation in 1996. He was a member of the Boston Firefighter’s Local 718 of the IAFF.
Kevin was a second generation firefighter‚ his father retired June 1‚ 1977 after 29 years with the Boston Fire Department. He was the 4th most senior Lieutenant and could have worked anywhere in Boston‚ but because of his nature‚ he chose the busiest firehouse in Boston. He even had a starring role on the Discovery Channel reality series Firehouse USA. He was dedicated to the job he loved and was well respected by his peers. He was known for his quick thinking‚ and keeping his fellow firefighters safe.
Kevin’s family gave him the most enjoyment in his life. He was happiest when he was doing things with‚ and for‚ his family. He enjoyed the simple things in life: floating around the pool‚ barbecuing on the grill‚ playing cribbage (cribbage is a competitive sport in the Kelley family)‚ playing Nintendo Wii and hiking in the Blue Hills. He truly was a kid at heart; he loved Disneyworld and Universal Studios and cruises to the Caribbean. He also had a fondness for teasing‚ and possessed a great sense of humor.
More than 20 years ago‚ Kevin bought a pop-up camper and thus began a family camping tradition. Every year for a week in the summer the whole family would band together and head up to New Hampshire. Those camping weeks have provided our family with a wealth of happy and fun memories…and we have those memories all because of Kevin.
Kevin’s life was cut short‚ but we can hold on to the memories we have of him and relish the time we spent with him. Everyone that knew Kevin has lost a part of themselves‚ but the moments that he gave us will live on with us forever. He is greatly missed by all.
I used to visit Mr Kevin’s grave almost every week when I lived in Boston. When I came to Brazil he came with me as my Anjel. He lives in my heart and on his birthday I have a piece of birthday cake to say Happy Birthday to him.
– Antonio de Bem