Life Story / Obituary
Jack Kelley, age 85, passed away with his family by his side, Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Zilber Family Hospice, Wauwatosa. He was born in Racine, September 2, 1938, son of the late Frank and Clara (Nee: Boegler) Kelley. He graduated from Horlick High School “Class of 1958”.
Jack received a geometric dimensioning and tolerancing degree, mechanical drafting degree from Racine Technical College and an industrial engineer degree from Gateway Technical College. He was employed for 15 years at ITT Industries as a Product Manufacturing Engineer and retired from American Motors Corp/ Chrysler after 30 years working as an Industrial Engineer.
On June 14, 1957, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Felicia Alfano and they were together 67 wonderful years and raised 3 children, Kevin, Kim, and Keri. Jack was a member and usher of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, President of the Kenosha Jaycees, member of the Racine Flaggers Auto Club, and member and president of the Racine Skin and Scuba Diving Club. Jack’s pastimes including building and racing radio-controlled cars, building and flying radio-controlled airplanes, building and collecting model cars and model ships with intricate sails. He was a “Mister Fix it” and tackled any household job including electrical, plumbing, woodworking and anything with cars. He was always there to lend a helping hand to family and friends. His passion was fishing on his boat but most of all he treasured time spent with his family. Family always came first. His greatest joy was his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He will be dearly missed by his wife Felicia; daughters, Kim Marie (Richard) Gizelbach, Keri Ann (Timothy) Krikau; daughter-in-law, Susan Kelley-McCambridge; grandchildren; Nicole (Jetmir) Abazi of Austin, TX, Sean CPOE7 (Deana) Loendorf of Highland Park, IL, Patrick Kelley, Joseph (Gena Petri) Kelley; great-grandchildren, Andelina, Davion & Ellijana Abazi, Nolan, Lacey & Easton Loendorf; Yolanda Compian (San Antonio, TX) and close friends at St. Catherine’s Alumni House. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Kevin; and sister, Colleen Kelley, along with his in-laws, Frank & Felicia (Lillian) Alfano.
Private funeral services were held with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Memorials to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Hope Safe House - Racine, WI have been suggested.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses & staff at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center Milwaukee, and the nurses & staff at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice Wauwatosa.