James J. Kelly, Jr.

SPRINGFIELD CENTER – James J. Kelly, Jr. age 88, of County Highway 29, passed away on Thursday Evening April 9, 2026, in Troy Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

James was born April 28, 1937, in Manhattan, a son of the late James J. and Mary Murphy Kelly. He was raised and educated in the Metropolitan New York Area. After he graduated high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, serving from 1954 to 1957. He was honorably discharged obtaining the rank of Corporal. He married the former Joyce Virga and they settled in Long Island raising their family there. James was a Police Officer with the Nassau County Police Department in Baldwin. After his retirement he and Joyce relocated to Springfield.

He was of the Catholic Faith and attended St. Joseph the Worker Church in Richfield Springs. James enjoyed woodworking and antique cars, he prided himself with his 1940 Ford Convertible. He occasionally went to many cars shows and cruise ins with his Ford.

Surviving him are his wife Joyce, two sons; James Kelly, III and his wife Kathleen of Malta, Gene Kelly and his wife Trish of Myrtle Beach, SC, a daughter Patricia Kelly of East Greenbush, three grandchildren; Kristen Taylor, Kevin Kelly, and Kelly Sawyer, five great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother William Kelly, and three sisters; Noreen Kelly, Joan Kelly and Mary Georgetti.

Mr. Kelly's family will be present to receive relatives and friends on Thursday April 16th from 3:00 to 4:00pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Inc., 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs. A funeral service to follow at 4:00pm in the funeral home, with the Reverend Brian Lehnert to officiate. Burial will take place Friday April17th at 11:00 in Gerald BH Solomon National Cemetery, Schuylerville, where military honors will be accorded by the United States Marine Corp.