FASNY First Vice President Joseph F. Kelly, Jr. 1947 – 2011

FASNY First Vice President Joseph F. Kelly, Jr., 63, of Wallkill, a retired manager for IBM died Friday, February 11th, 2011 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

The son of the late Joseph F. Kelly, Sr. and Frances Cusick Kelly, he was born November 13th, 1947 in the Bronx.

Prior to his election in 2008 as Second Vice President and in 2010 as First Vice President of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), Joe served on the FASNY EMS Committee as a member and then chairman for 14 years.

Joe was a volunteer firefighter with the Wallkill Hook, Ladder and Hose Co. for more than 40 years. Joe held many line officer and corporate positions including Chief of the Department and Company President. He was elected Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

Joe served as President of the Ulster County Volunteer Firemen’s Association and as President of the Hudson Valley Volunteer’s Firemen’s Association.

Joe served in the US Army from 1969 until 1971, including one year in Vietnam as Combat Medic in the First Air Calvary Division, and serving as an infantry medic in the legendary “Custer’s Own” Seventh Calvary Regiment. He was decorated for valor during his tour evacuating and treating wounded often under fire.

Joe was a communicant of the Most Precious Blood Church. Joe served as Councilman for the town of Shawangunk. Joe was active with the Wallkill Volunteer Ambulance Corps for 28 years.

At IBM Joe also worked as a program director in pre-sales support in the United States, as well as Germany, France and China, where he helped set up their first computer Mainframe for their banking system.

Joe is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years Mary Cody Kelly; two daughters Colleen Locicero and husband Joseph of Wallkill, and JillAnn Kelly of Walden; a son Joseph Kelly and wife Melodee of Montgomery; six grandchildren: Logan, Madison, Isabelle, Michael, Kayla and Liam; a sister Christine Freer and husband Richard of Walden; several nieces and nephews.

Services were held at the Millspaugh Funeral Home in Walden on Tuesday, February 15th, and a funeral mass Wednesday, February 16th at the Church of the Most Precious Blood. Burial was in St Charles Cemetery, Gardiner.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Firemen’s Home, 125 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson, NY 12534.

For condolences, please visit www.millspaughfuneralhome.com