Nichols Funeral Home

George R. Kelley, age 72, of Wilmington, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 7, 2015.

George was born on July 18, 1942 in Medford, MA; he was the beloved son of John V. Jr. and Mary “Josephine” Kelley. George was raised in Charlestown and was a graduate of Charlestown High School.

George went to work as a Firefighter for the City of Boston and was assigned to Engine 50 in Charlestown. George loved his job; he was a hard worker and very dedicated to making the City of Boston safer throughout the years. George’s winning personality and great work ethic made him a favorite among his fellow firefighters. George was always willing to help out the “new kids” and he made many life-long friends throughout the years. George was also a member of the Boston Gaelic Fire Brigade.

George married “his high school sweetheart and his best friend” Mary Lou Campbell on November 19, 1961. The couple lived in Charlestown for several years before moving “up country” to Wilmington 44 years ago. George and Mary Lou raised three wonderful children: Mary, George Jr. and Dennis; George was a great dad; he loved his children unconditionally and was very supportive of everything they did. When George became “Bampy” to Merry, Ashley, Daniel, Michael, and Katherine, his world became even more enriched. George attended countless sporting events, school events, dance recitals, graduations, or anything else his children and grandchildren were involved in. He always beamed with pride. Let’s not forget Sunday dinners. They were always family time, and George looked forward to being with his family each week.

George was also very involved in his community; he was a member of the Fr. Croke Council #4982 Knights of Columbus in Wilmington, and a 4th Degree Knight with the Bishop Delaney Council. George volunteered throughout the years with the many fund raisers that were sponsored by the Knights. George was always willing to give his time to help others.

In his spare time George was an avid sports fan, he enjoyed following the Boston Sports teams and watching countless Patriots and Red Sox games with his family and friends.

George will be fondly remembered as a wonderful guy, he was a gentle giant with a big heart and a great smile. George was very devoted to his family and friends; he always went out of his way to do for others and he will be greatly missed by all.

George was the beloved husband of Mary Lou (Campbell) Kelley, devoted father of Mary T. Hill & her husband Bob of Tewksbury, George R. Kelley, Jr. & his wife Lia and Dennis P. Kelley & his wife Stephanie all of Wilmington, loving “Bampy” of Merry Hill, Ashley Kelley, Daniel Amaral, Michael Hill and Katherine Kelley, cherished son of the late John V. Jr. and Mary J. “Josephine” (Herlihy) Kelley, dear brother of the late John V. Kelley III, and Joanne Harrington, son-in-law of Larry Campbell of Charlestown and the late Mary “Sis” Campbell, brother-in-law of Rita Kelley of Wilmington and Rose Ann Amato & her husband Vincent of Billerica, and the late Joanne Campbell. George is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Family and friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Saturday, January 10th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 11:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting Hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, January 9th from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Memorial donations in George’s name may be made to the VNA of Middlesex East & Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607 North St., Wakefield, MA 01880.