Robert M. Kelly was a wonderful, loving husband to JoAnna Kelly for 37 years and an amazing father to Veronica, Emery, and son-in-law Jesse. His spirit lives on and continues to grow in his two beautiful granddaughters, Everly Jo and Willamina.

Robert was extremely proud to be a NYC firefighter. He couldn’t wait to start. Hired when he was just 23 years old, Robert broke many athletic records at the FDNY Fire Academy. He spent his first seven years in the South Bronx at Engine 71, where he would always stop on his way home and bring us Italian bread from Arthur Avenue. He spent the next nine years in Queens and the remainder of his career at Rescue 5 in Staten Island. After 9/11 and his dedicated work at Ground Zero, he was recruited to work with Rescue 5 because they lost so many brave men. He was honored to be a part of that team and work in their memory. Nothing made Robert happier than helping people and saving lives. No matter where he was, he was always taking care of people and looking out for the underdog. He believed in treating people kindly with fairness, consideration, and respect.

As much as Robert loved being a firefighter, his most beloved role was being a husband and father. Everything he did, he did for us. He was so proud of his family and children’s accomplishments. He cherished every minute we spent together creating memoires in Disney World, Montauk, and taking drives upstate. He loved nature and the outdoors, camping, and hiking. If he could live outside under the stars, he would. He had a big heart full of love and a warm laugh. He loved to tell dad jokes everywhere we went just to make people smile.

In the last ten years of his life, Robert started studying the Bible and all of Jesus’s teachings. His faith was strong, and he spread the word whenever he could. He knew when two people were speaking about Jesus, then Jesus was in the room, and he was in good company. This helped Robert stay positive and present during his sickness. Even in the end, he was taking care of us, making sure we were all okay. He would always remind us to “whisper good words to yourself, because you make them real.” On March 31, 2024, Easter Sunday, Robert lost his battle to acute myeloid leukemia.

Robert will be remembered as a loving husband, father, friend, and respected firefighting professional. He will be deeply missed, as he touched many lives with his love, spirit, and good words. We thank God and feel blessed to have had him for the time that we did. We will love you always and always.