Visitation will be held March 3 in the church, located at 180 Ridge Road, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated March 4 at 11 a.m. with livestreaming available.

Deacon Kelly was born in 1942 in Manhattan, N.Y., and was the son of the late Catherine and Andrew Kelly. He was raised in Highlands and raised his own family in Rumson. He was a 1960 graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank, and served in the U.S. Navy on the U.S.S. Diamond Head. He enjoyed a career in electronics sales, purchasing and restaurant management.

Deacon Kelly was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop George W. Ahr May 12, 1979, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. He served in several parishes including Holy Cross, Rumson; Holy Trinity (now part of Christ the King Parish), Long Branch; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Highlands (now part of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish, Atlantic Highlands), and Nativity Parish. He was chaplain for the Rumson Fire Department, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3187 and parish coordinator at The Chapel of Fort Monmouth for 15 years until the Fort closed on Sept. 15, 2011.

Deacon Kelly was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Kathleen; three sisters and one brother. He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Patrick and Colleen of Kirkwood, Pa.; Phillip and Melissa of Rumson, and Peter and Catherine of Tinton Falls; six grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Stephen’s Fund: Council of Deacons, Office of Clergy, P.O. Box 5147, Trenton, N.J. 08638-0147. Make checks payable to Council of Deacons-St. Stephen’s Fund.