James Joseph Kelly

James J. Kelly, Jr.
March 19, 1951 – November 3, 2025

James J. Kelly Jr completed his pilgrimage here on earth, on Monday November 3, 2025, after struggling with heart disease for a number of years. He was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Margaret (Ward) and James Joseph Kelly. Jim was the second of 5 children, three additional sisters and a younger brother.
Growing up in Broomall, Jim attended St Anastasia School, served as an altar boy and immediately demonstrated skills both academically and athletically. He loved family vacations in Ocean City New Jersey.
In 6th Grade the family moved to Claremont, California where Jim would adopt the Dodgers, but still held onto the Phillies, albeit from a distance. Jim attended Our Lady of Assumption School and Damien High School and continued to excel academically and athletically. He was a 4 year varsity letterman, playing 4 sports multiple years, and graduated in 1969 as Damien’s Scholar Athlete.
Jim attended Santa Clara University, played football for two years before transferring his skills and determination to rugby. He would be a standout rugby player for Santa Clara and go on to play for multiple teams, including the BATS, Montreal Irish and South Jersey. Jim had a lifelong love of the game in which he excelled and developed friendships that would accompany him his entire life.
Jim graduated from Santa Clara with a BS in Economics, and served as Senior Class President. He went to work as a CPA for Price Waterhouse in Philadelphia, Montreal and San Francisco. While in Philadelphia he delighted in providing guidance, humor and entertainment to his younger Ward cousins.
Jim joined Canadian Marconi Company in Montreal as their Chief Financial Officer and served in that role for many years. While in Canada he met, and married Patricia Ercolanese and they would have three children together. Jim would eventually return to California to serve as CFO of several successful companies in the Bay Area. Jim lived with his family in Morgan Hill where he raised three sons, Matthew, Connor and Patrick. After retirement Jim relocated to Incline Nevada where he lived until his passing.
In retirement Jim continued to be a voracious reader, sports fan and traveler. He always enjoyed the time spent with his family, including Kelly Christmas, and No Shower Happy Hour Sunday Zoom sessions.
Jim is preceded in death by his father James. He is survived by his sons, Matthew, Connor and Patrick, his mother Margaret, sister Joan (Jim) Stoelker, brother Tom (Katy) Kelly, sister Suzanne (John) Soares, and sister Patti (Joe) Doherty, 10 nephews and nieces, 17 grandnephews/nieces, and a large family of cousins. He is also survived by his former wife, Patricia Koch. He is of course survived by his many rugby teammates over the years. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on November 12, 11am, at St. Raymond Church in Menlo Park, Ca. A private interment will follow at a later date.

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