James J Kelly 1939 – 2020

Born in Bray, Co. Wicklow in 1939, Jim emigrated to the United States in 1957. Before departing Ireland, he had served both an apprenticeship in shoe making and two years in the Irish Free State Army. The first few years in his new country were spent in a variety of jobs, but he finally secured a rating as a stationery engineer. Joining the U.S. Army in 1962, he served with the 509th Airborne; 82nd Airborne Division and the 1st Infantry Division, being honorably discharged in 1964. Married to the former Bridget Ann Murphy (Breda) this same year, Jim and his wife were blessed with two children by 1967. In 1968 he joined the New York City Police Department and served 20 years, retiring in 1988. He had worked as an intelligence analyst with the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. Finally, during the period of 1965 to 1978, Jim acquired his high school equivalency diploma, an A.A.S. from Rockland Community College, a Bachelor's Degree from Iona and a Master's from C.W. Post. This is a truly remarkable accomplishment when viewed together with his family and job responsibilities.

Brother Kelly served as Orange County AOH Division 1 President from 1996-97, District 8 Director 1992-94, AOH Orange County Board President 2001-2005, AOH County Historian 1990-2014, Founder of the Fleming Scholarship Fund and was Chairman of that committee from 2001-2013. Brother Kelly initiated the Seamus Comisky Memorial Shamrock Degree and served as Degree Coordinator from 2004-2014.

A family trip to Gettysburg led him to a deep interest in researching the stories of many of the Irish Americans, particularly those in the Irish Brigade, who had fought in our Civil War. He has unearthed a wealth of materials, becoming an authority on this topic.  Paralleling this engrossing interest, Jim pursued the bagpipes. The wild music and the soft music of the "pipes" seems to be the best of music to most Irishmen. To conquer their intricacies and enjoy playing them is almost an innate ambition. As well as a highly valued member to the AOH, Brother Kelly was a bagpiper and played a huge part in the Orange County AOH Pipe and Drums for 38+ years. Brother Kelly joined "The Old Brigade" in 1978. He was a stellar teacher and was the type of leader we were all proud of. Brother Kelly also mentored bagpipers at the West Point US Military Academy from 1991-1996, earning himself the SGM Jack Harris Award. Brother Kelly quickly raised through the ranks and became Pipe Sergeant in 1982 all the way through to 1997. He then became Pipe Major from 1997 until the year 2001.

Jim had served as historian to both Division 1 and the County Board of the A.O.H. in Orange County.
in 1992, Jim was the Grand Marshal for the Mid-Hudson Saint Patrick's Parade.

In 2016 Brother Jim Kelly was awarded The Burns-Hayes Award. The Burns-Hayes Award, is the highest award that can be bestowed to a Hibernian in the State of New York, by the AOH
Here are a few words from Brother Kelly's Lifetime Membership Application:
“Sharing my knowledge of the AOH Constitution and By-Laws with new members of our respective Division and County. Imparting the history of the Irish and the Irish American People and the contributions they made over many centuries as immigrants, their hardships, rejections and sufferings. And, of course, on a positive note, the many accomplishments they contributed to their adopted country…I enjoyed every minute of it.”
 
From young immigrant to stationery engineer, soldier, possessor of a Master's Degree; Police Office to Investigative Analyst for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; father and grandfather, renowned historian and master of the bagpipes; "Big Jim" Kelly was, indeed, an Irishman for all times and seasons. Please Keep Jim Kelly his wife Breda and his children William and Maria in your prayers.