WARRENSBURG – John Joseph Peter Kelly, born November 15, 1953, of 266 River Street, Warrensburg, and born in Saratoga, raised in Schuylerville, passed away on September 6, 2016, after a short painful battle with lung and bone cancer. He fought till the bitter end. He was a trooper.
His hobbies included hiking, camping looking for rainbows and waterfalls, doing sudoku, bowling, playing games online, deer watching, and most importantly spending time with his beloved extended families and friends. He never starved for love and attention. He especially loved his other family: his mother and father in law Carlton and Joyce Roseboom of Ballston Spa and Stanton Nursing Home in Queensbury. He was loved and he was entertaining to all residents and staff there on a weekly basis. Also, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Robert and Holly Parslo of Connecticut; his sister-in-law, Adina Roseboom of Ballston Spa, his brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Bekkah Roseboom, and their three children Fahlon, Deklan, and Brenna of Perry.
John served his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, where he earned the rank of SA E2. For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
John found the Lord again and corrected his ways of life through the help of his loving wife Valerie, his family on both sides, his inner strength, his Pastor, and his church family at New Life Baptist Church in Hudson Falls, whom he and his wife attended for six years. They’ve helped them over many rough and dangerous roads but never failed them. God was with John, and he’s now with his Mom and Dad, stepdaughter and uncles and cousins whom will be meeting him to celebrate life with our Lord in Heaven. Always remember though I walk through the shadow of doubt I see God.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 11 years, Valerie Lorraine Roseboom Kelly, also from Warrensburg and Schenectady, who stayed by his side and tended to his every need while he was ill and still worked 30-40 a week. John is also survived by his five children and two step children, whom he was proud to call his special miracles; his daughter, Crystal Powel of Jacksonville, Florida; four grand boys, one granddaughter and one great-grand daughter; his daughter Christina Mane Kelly-Cerbo of Chickamungia, Georgia, and his son in law Thomas Cerbo and their two boys and two daughters; his step children Amelia David Kelly whom passed away and is with Daddy now, and Peter and Kelly; his children with his loving wife Valerie: Austin Kelly, Dahkota Hathaway Kelly, and Nicoelle Hathaway Kelly; his mother and father, Gerald Kelly and Margaret Wolfe Kelly, who passed away after lung illnesses; his siblings, Gerald Kelly of Greenfield, now residing in Round Lake; his ex-sister in law, Debbie McCronchie Kelly; his sister Sharon Luongo and her husband, Martin of Fort Edward, their 2 sons, Scott and Steven, and daughter in laws; their three great nieces combined; his sister Rosemary and her husband, Wayne Hoch of Corinth; his niece and nephew, Heather and Tim, and three great nieces; his sister Betty and brother-in-law Kevin Brown of Greenwich, their two girls, Angie and Tasha, and their beloved gentlemen in their lives: Guy and Sam, their children combined three boys and one girl; his sister, Donna and her husband, Doug Zeno of Greenwich, their children, Tina and Duane, and daughter-in-law and son in laws and their children combined. John was also survived by aunts and uncles whom were all dear to him, especially Dickie Kelly of Cossayuna Lake, whom took over as his surrogate dad and always kept him in line.
Special mentions go out to three very special people in his life. Gloria Latorta of Presbyterian New England Church in Saratoga Springs Soup Kitchen; she was a surrogate mom to him and was never judgmental of him. She loved him for himself not from his past behaviors. The others are Bobby and Susie Dicks of South Glens Falls, they are dear and talented friends of both John and Valerie. Bobby Dicks of Rock and Roll 101, and Susie Q and Bobby Dicks of the famous Sundowners Era. They kept him rockin’ and rollin’ even in his darkest hours. John’s family would also like to thank Dr. Delmonte, Wendy, Christine and Bernie at Saratoga Oncology and Hematology, Dr. Gnuyen and his staff at the Saratoga Hospital, donna and Dave Kelly from Warrensburg for all their care and compassion given to them and Lynncare for providing John with oxygen.
Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at New Life Baptist Church, on Main Street in Hudson Falls. A funeral service will immediately follow, beginning at 8 p.m. with Pastor Jon Hawkins officiating.
Burial with full military honors will take place on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Gerald B. H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Stillwater.
Donations in John’s name may be made out to New Life Baptist Church, 62 Main St, Hudson Falls, NY 12839, or Saratoga Battlefield, 648 Route 32, Stillwater, NY 12170.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Carleton Funeral Home, inv., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls.
