Rest in Peace
Bro. Robert Kelly, S.M.
July 22, 1923 - February 1, 2008

Bob Kelly arrived in Ireland by way of Southampton in 1967, having travelled there on the Queen Mary.  Bob, Firmin Widmer and John O'Connor made up the first Marianist Community in Ireland . 

They came to start a school in Dublin , at the invitation of the then Archbishop, John Charles McQuaid. The school originally was to be named Marianist College , but at the prompting of the Archbishop it was named after the first Irish Bishop of Dublin, Laurence O'Toole.

Kell was in charge of the finances of the school, as it grew from its original four prefab buildings to the present building completed in 1970, and continued in that role until he completed his time in Ireland in 1981.  He also managed the finances of the community and served as its Director.

Bob taught Religion and Commerce classes.  His students were known as his "baby dumplings."  He added to the curriculum by regaling the lads with tales of his days in the navy during the war -- being on the SS Chepachet when they shot down an enemy plane – a special accomplishment for a “fleet replenishment oiler.”

All who worked with and knew Kelly loved him.  He always had time to sit down for a cup of tea and a chat.  He loved to listen and at the same time to dispense his fatherly advice. 

Kell loved to drive and thought nothing of hopping into the car and driving north about 6 hours on Ireland 's old roads to visit his relatives in Donegal and then return the same day.

Without doubt in those early formative years, Kelly was the heart of the school and community.  He was extremely generous with his time in the community, always willing to drive to the airport to collect visitors, to make cherry pies, chat to the Brothers when they were down and frequently make peanut butter sandwiches for the travelling people when they called to the door "for a little help."

At school Kelly's generosity knew no bounds: by listening to the lad who got in trouble; substituting for absent teachers, running out for tea's milk when it wasn't delivered and giving good guidance to the young new teachers.

Bob Kelly always had a smile for you.  As one of his past students wrote, "I will always have great memories of the little round man!”

His health, just months before his 85th birthday, had been going downhill.  Even as a diabetic he had little time for special diets.  For him the perfect meal was surviving the meat and potatoes so as to home in on the dessert. 

In the end, he died in his sleep, from heart failure.  He was our brother for 60 years and a most wonderful person.

Please remember him in your prayers.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Columba's, the Marianist Community on Saturday, 9 February at 11.30 in the morning. All are welcome to attend.