- Date Of Birth: December 23, 1921
- Date Of Death: August 13, 2014
- State: New Jersey
Joseph F. Kelly,92, of West Point Island section of Lavallette, NJ died on Wednesday August 13, 2014. He was born in Philadelphia, PA and lived in Lavallette, NJ since 1947. Joe worked since he was five years old on a horse and buggy produce business with his father. His first job in Lavallette was at Ye Olde School Inn in Lavallette where he was lucky to meet his wife of 58 years Irene Kosenski. He then went onto own and operate various businesses in Lavallette, NJ including the original Kay’s Bakery and the Tradewinds Motor Lodge, which Joe actually built from the ground up. His family was lucky to grow up in the town of Lavallette that he loved so much.
Joe was drawn to Lavallette because of the proximity to the water which would satisfy his love of the ocean. Joe could be seen by many on New York Ave way out in the ocean swimming and getting his exercise. He loved everything about being on the beach, greeting his friends and many that he did not even know. His love for fishing was unprecedented. If there was a free day to be had, he spent it fishing making many trips many miles out in the ocean to catch all kinds of fish. This love for the ocean was something he passed on to his grandkids that are always seen swimming, surfing, or fishing in any body of water they can get to. However his greatest love was being the head cheerleader at all his grandkids school and sporting events. What he really passed on was his love of life. No one enjoyed or appreciated life as much as Joe.
His favorite thing to tell everyone who crossed his path was “Get up early and go to bed real late and just enjoy yourself in everything you do”. Joe was a simple man who just loved his family. That was all he needed. Joseph proudly served his country in WWII as a Sergeant at Normandy Beach in the US Army. He fought many battles and campaigns including Air offensive, European Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Northern forest of France and Central Europe. He also received many metals such as Soldiers Medal of Valor, Good conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, American Theatre Service Medal and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal.
While at Normandy, Sergeant Joseph F. Kelly was notified that he would be decorated from a 1 Star General for his actions by saving the planes from fire and explosion during training in Richmond, VA. Surviving is his loving wife Irene Kelly; a son Paul Kelly and his wife Laurie of Lavallette, NJ; a daughter Carolyn Malanga and her husband Gerald of Lavallette, NJ; a sister Elizabeth Iova of Philadelphia, PA and six grandchildren Gerald, Dean, Diana, Kelly, Paul and Matthew.
