Robert (Bob) Edward Kelly

You can hear the sound of the baseball thumping in the night, as Bob and

Scott are warming up once again.

Bob went to the diamond in the sky on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at

the age of 97. He lived a full and robust life with his wife Sandra (née

Nussel). They had seven children, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-

grandchildren.

Bob was born the only child to Norma Schoof and Edward Kelly on October

4, 1927 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was raised in Cleveland and attended

Purdue University, Ohio University, and Western Reserve College. As a

star pitcher, he led Shaw High School to a State and City baseball

championship in 1944. He was drafted into the Army in 1946 and

discharged in 1947. While serving, he signed a professional baseball

contract with the Chicago Cubs. His pro baseball career spanned 10 years,

four with the Cubs and the rest with the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland

Indians. His proudest achievement was pitching two complete game

shutouts against the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds in 1952.

Bob married his high school classmate Sandra on November 25,1949.

Together, they started their wonderful family with six boys and a girl. Bob

cherished his family and loved them deeply. 

They moved to East Lyme, Connecticut in 1969. Bob coached East Lyme Freshman Baseball, Babe

Ruth, and Niantic Legion teams. He worked in Human Resources at

Electric Boat for many years and retired in 1993. He was a faithful member

and past President of Christ Lutheran Church, where he made many lasting

friendships.

Bob and Sandra enjoyed a rich life, traveling many countries, and visiting

Vermont for long weekends. Their home was always filled with laughter, a

good story, and strong traditions. Bob was a humble man, always eager to

have heart-felt conversations and making others feel special. He was a true

gentleman.

In 2013, they moved to Old Lyme to live with their daughter and son in law. They enjoyed

sitting in their beautiful apartment, watching the birds and wildlife all day

long (and Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!). His other hobbies were

reading, listening to music (BeeGee’s, Glenn Miller, and Neil Diamond),

and watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports and other

activities. He enjoyed watching his beloved Red Sox and Bruins. Bob and

Sandra celebrated their 75th Diamond anniversary just days before he

passed.

He is survived by his wife Sandra. He was predeceased by his son Scott

and grandchildren Bryan and Jay. His surviving children are Kim, Robert

(Leslie), Jeff (Sherry), Kevin (Katie), Keith (Jan), and Kara (Tim) Berry. His

grandchildren are Chris (Erin), Kyle (Amber), Shannon, Tyler, Kassie

(Matt), Britney (Aaron), Kari (Seth), Wade (Olivia), Molly, Matt, Chad (Julia),

Evan, Maddy (Roger), and Karoline (Luke). His surviving great-

grandchildren are Braylin, Harper, Carson, Cora, Emerson, Drew, Bodhi,

Fiadh, Nora, Maren, Jack, Mae, and Kennedy. His surviving nieces and

nephews are John (Cindy), Jim, David (Carol), Carole (James), Bob, Suzie.

We will all miss him dearly.

The family would like to thank their caring hospice nurse Ashley and

Middlesex Healthcare at Home aide Ruth.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 11am at

Christ Lutheran Church 24 Society Road, Niantic, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider

making donations to Middlesex Health Hospice www.middlesex.org or Christ Lutheran

Church www.clcniatic.org.