Lt. Dan Kelly
Lt. Dan Kelly, a retired member of the Arlington Police Department, died Tuesday, May 3, after fighting cancer for several years, Chief Julie Flaherty said in a report by YourArlington partner Patch.
Kelly, 58, served 32 years as a decorated member of the Arlington Police Department.
"We are all deeply saddened by Lt. Kelly's passing," Flaherty said in a statement. "He was more than a police officer, sergeant and fieutenant; he was a friend to many, a devoted husband and proud father of three."
"We will miss his positive energy, his witty charm, and his dedication to the town in which he grew up," she continued.
Honored in 2018
In 2018, Lt. Kelly was honored with the department's Excellence in Leadership Award, which is given annually to the employee who consistently serves as a role model by displaying exemplary leadership and a positive attitude.
He joined the Arlington Police Department in 1987 and developed a reputation for his quick wit and ability to see the positive side of any situation.
"Lt. Kelly is an essential part of our department, and I'm extremely grateful for the leadership he brings on a daily basis," then-Chief Fred Ryan said in 2018. "He routinely displays sound decision making and leads his platoon well by making his expectations clear and creating an atmosphere for success."
Notable obituary
The DeVito Funeral Home provided details in an obituary noteworthy for the word picture of Mr. Kelly:
"If you are thinking about going the extra mile to help someone out, go ahead, because that's where you'll find the legacy of Daniel 'Danny' J. Kelly III, who entered eternal life on Tuesday, May 3rd surrounded by love, in the arms of his wife of 31 years, Kelley Grealish Kelly and holding on to his daughter Lauren, his sons Danny and Jack and his dog, Maisie.
"His spirit now lives on in the hearts of his beloved mother, Jeanne A. Kelly of Arlington, his sisters, Erin Cave of Arlington, Shelagh Walker of Brookline and Karen Kiefer of Wayland, many in-laws, as well as in his cherished nieces and nephews, extended family, friends and the brotherhood of the Arlington Police Department.
"Danny was a man of great wit, wisdom and heart, and his lessons defined the way he lived. Among them: Family first. Work hard, really hard, but don't forget to dance a little, especially if you own a pair of white bucks.
"Get a dog. Take out the trash. Learn to skate. Give someone a second chance. Fairness matters.
"There's always time for a friend and a Guinness. Shop local and love your neighbors.
"Always have a sense of humor and if you don't have one, find one. If you are sick, keep fighting like HELL."
Relatives and friends are invited to visit in the DeVito Funeral Home 1145 Mass. Ave., on Monday, May 9, from 4 to 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Agnes Church on Tuesday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m. Visit cparl.org to live-stream the funeral Mass.
Meet at the church. Committal prayers will be held at the Police & Fire Memorial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery immediately following the funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mr. Kelly may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital in support of oropharyngeal cancer research at giving.massgeneral.org/donate or Massachusetts General Hospital, Att: Carrie Powers, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114.
Checks payable to Massachusetts General Hospital. Please include in memory of Daniel J. Kelly III on the memo line.
This news summary was published Sunday, May 8, 2022.
