SACO – John P. “Jack” Kelley, 95, of Saco, formerly of Scarborough, and Simsbury, Conn., passed away on May 26, 2024, at Seal Rock Healthcare. He was born on July 21, 1928 in Springfield, Mass., to John and Margaret Kelley.

Jack graduated from Classical High School in Springfield, MA, and Tufts University. He served in the Korean war as a Lieutenant aboard the USS Brown as the EOD and Special Weapons Officer. After Jack’s discharge from the Navy he met and married Elizabeth (Betsy) Farren and started their family. They shared a lifelong love of nature and the outdoors and hiked, canoed and backpacked throughout much of the United States and Canada. Jack took a sales position with Colt Manufacturing in Hartford, Conn., where he remained until his retirement.

Jack was predeceased by Betsy, his beloved wife of 62 years. He was also predeceased by his brother Mortimer (Jean) Kelley. He is survived by his beloved children: Ann Collacchi (Chris) of Narragansett, R.I., Sean Kelley (Janet) of Holden, Mary Beth Shapiro (Gordon) of Dallas, and Scarborough, and Colleen Kelley (David Perlmutter) of Shutesbury, Mass. Jack is also survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A mass and celebration of life will be held later this summer. He will have a Naval Burial at Sea. For more details please visit. https://www.cotefuneralhome.com/obituary/john-kelley

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the caring and compassionate staff at Seal Rock, Atlantic Heights, and Hospice of Southern Maine.

Donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the Scarborough Public Library (https://www.scarboroughlibrary.org/donate) or Hospice of Southern Maine (https://hsm46624.thankyou4caring.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=298)

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