Birth date: Nov 17, 1962 Death date: Jun 18, 2021
Harry Joseph Kelly, much loved husband, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and colleague, passed away suddenly from a heart attack in San Diego, California, on June 18, 2021, at the too young age of 58. Joe was born on November 17, 1 Read Obituary
As long time friends of Ruthanne and Dave we feel deeply for them and extend our heartfelt support for the family.
Mauro and Brenda Meneghetti
Peter Scott, Joe's cousin and friend...
The Kelly’s and Scott’s go back decades…whether it was Uncle Bernie and Auntie Ruth loading up the wood paneled, lime green station wagon and tent trailer heading west or our Mom and Dad and family heading to the interior or Alberta to meet for a summer camping extravaganza. We spent many great summer vacations together…As we all grew up the summer vacations became more infrequent but regardless Kelly/Scott summers and memories are an integral part of our growing up.
So, when Joe decided to move to Vancouver back in the early 90’s I didn’t hesitate to suggest he move into the townhouse I had just bought…we instantly reverted to our youth and became the best of friends as if no time had passed… Joe’s sense of humour was still desert dry, razor sharp and deadpan flat and his Joe-isms were plentiful. We played countless rounds of golf with Joe coaching me on taming my violent swing…he counselled me on asking my wife to marry me…he taught Trace, my wife, to play chess. He became a fixture at our family Sunday dinners and played countless games of crib with my Dad…all the while maintaining his half full/overflowing perspective, bone dry sense of humour and laid-back approach to life all wrapped up in his legendary Joe-isms…
Typically, Joe would begin his dinner at about 7:00pm and finish anywhere between 11:00-12:00. Never bothered heating it up as that would only last 10-15 minutes…all the while watching TV, reading, crosswords, more TV, chatting…everyday, all day…one meal transitioned to the next…Typical Joe-ism…”Peter, do you ever wonder why the sky is blue and clouds are white? …Silence, and then without missing a beat…hey you wanna put 10 bucks on the Lions against the Stamps?” Joe was a scratch golfer with the smoothest, purest swing I have ever seen and could easily have turned pro. Joe’s approach was he loved the game and to get to the next level he knew he’d have to practice and that would take the fun out of it so…nope why ruin a good thing…In all the years I knew Joe he never had a bad word to say about anyone and I never saw him get angry…he couldn’t do it. He didn’t have it in him. That was Joe. I wish I could be more like him, but I’ve learned a lot from him over the years and will always hold his spirit in my heart.
Joe and my parents were always very close…Dad and Joe shared the same first name, Harry, and both used their middle names in place of and I know Joe always felt a kinship…When Dad was very sick and close to passing, Joe was visiting family and friends in Calgary…knowing how sick Dad was, Joe decided to return via Vancouver and visit Mom and Dad. I can still see the look on my Dad’s face when he saw Joe and how much it meant to him that Joe would come to see him…how much it meant to our whole family. Dad passed a few days later…That was Joe. That will always be Joe. I’ll miss you, Joe. I’ll never forget you and will always treasure the laughs and good times we shared. Thank you for being my friend.
To Jacque, Jack, Margaret, Ruthanne, and Dan on behalf of my family our sincerest condolences and regrets on your loss of such an amazing, unique, and special guy. He will be forever missed, remembered, and loved.
Peter
My name is Nancy Arsenault, and I am Joe's cousin from Vancouver. Joe became a special part of our family during the time he lived here. I have many memories of Joe, but my most treasured memory by far involves our father (also named Harry, but like Joe, he chose to go by his middle name "Lynn"). Dad was diagnosed with an aggressive pancreatic cancer 6 years ago, and when Joe found out that he was in his final days, he immediately booked a flight to Vancouver to see him to say his goodbyes. Our family will never forget this, and how it meant the world to our dad. I can still remember watching Joe sit beside our dad's bed and have his last conversation with him...It's a memory that I will carry with me forever, and it truly captures what an amazing person Joe was. We will all miss him.
Sending my love, thoughts and prayers to all Joe's family today.
Love Nancy
My condolences to the Kelly family for the loss of Joe. I will fondly remember him. He was a wonderful person.
