Former Ridgefield resident Donald Kelly, 90, youth hockey and baseball coach, has died

Donald E. Kelly, 90, of Greenwich, previously of Ridgefield, died peacefully on Thursday, November 17, 2022. He was the loving husband of the late Barbara M. (Ducey) Kelly.

Mr. Kelly was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 24, 1932, a son of the late Edward and Thelma (Ryan) Kelly. He graduated from Xavier High School in NYC, lettering in three Varsity sports and starting the Xavier Rifle Team. He went on to graduate from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J. and Fordham Law School, also in NYC. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1966, working in NYC for many years.

Mr. Kelly served in the Army for six years as a pilot of both airplanes and helicopters and continued his service in the Army Reserves, retiring as a helicopter flight instructor. After leaving his law practice, Mr. Kelly immensely enjoyed working in various capacities as a youth hockey and baseball coach. He and his wife, Barbara, moved to Ridgefield in1966 and raised their four children in Ridgefield.  

Mr. Kelly was a longtime parishioner of Saint Mary’s Church of Ridgefield. He was a strong supporter of Catholic education, and continuously supported St. Mary’s School. He was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Parish Council, and played an active role during the early years of the Ridgefield Hockey Rink. 

Mr. Kelly is survived by his children, Anne Marie Kelly, Margaret Mary (Mimi) Kelly, and Donald E. Kelly, Jr. and his wife Olya Churiy. Mr. Kelly has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Christopher J. P. Kelly and his wife Sarah and daughter Madison, Caitlin M. Vander Meulen and her husband Jeffrey and their children Samatha and William, Joseph E. Kelly and his children Haylee and Isabella, and Andrew T. Kelly, Gwynne (Little) Rioux and her husband Corey Rioux, and Julia Little- Lau and her husband Eric Lau, as well as their father, Jim Little. He is also survived by his sister Dolores’ children Mary, Ellen, John (Sean), Elizabeth (Beth), Patricia (Patty), and Katherine (Katie), and their respective spouses and children.

Mr. Kelly was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, his parents, Edward and Thelma as well as his sister, Dolores (Kelly) Kuhn and daughter, Kathleen Marie Kelly.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 1:30 PM at Saint Mary’s Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. There will be no calling hours; interment will take place privately.

Contributions in Mr. Kelly’s memory may be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Ridgefield – 41 Governor Street; Ridgefield, CT 06877, http://www.bgcridgefield.org