James Patrick Kelly 69, of Port Charlotte, FL, passed away quietly at home on August 4th after a seven-year battle with esophageal cancer.
Born February 18, 1945 in Akron Ohio, he was the youngest of six children. Jim graduated from Springfield High School in 1963. He was an area manager for Goodyear Airsprings in Greensburg, Ohio, retiring to Port Charlotte, Florida after 30 years of service in 1995. Jim was owner of Kelly Window Tinting in Port Charlotte, until his illness in 2007. His fighting spirit and courage throughout his illness inspired everyone. He never lost his sense of humor or his zest for life. An avid traveler, he and his wife enjoyed cruising and also vacationed in Italy, Canada, Mexico and most of the U.S. Taking his grandsons out west to the Grand Canyon was one of his treasured memories. He enjoyed fishing of any kind, especially bill fishing in Hawaii and Mexico. He was an expert trap shooter, slalom water skier, and learned to snow ski after he became ill.
Always a good neighbor and friend he had many cherished friends in both Ohio, Florida, and around the country. He was a loving husband to his wife Rhonda, a devoted father to his children Mark (Emily) Kelly of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Amanda (Trey) Rustmann of Tampa, Florida and Tracy Graybeal of Port Charlotte, Florida. He was “Poppa” to his beloved grandchildren Amy and Grayson Kelly, Bryce and Jacob Graybeal, and Titus Rustmann and great-grandson Gavin who were the light of his life. He also leaves brothers William (Judy) Kelly and Dan (Sherry) Kelly of Venice, Florida and sister Barbara (David) Fair of Munroe Falls, Ohio, also, special son-in-law Dan Graybeal of Port Charlotte, Florida and best friend John Springer of Uniontown, Ohio.
His parents William and Isabel Kelly and sister Nancy Carter preceded him in death.
Jim was especially thankful for the love and support his family received through out the years from many dear friends at the Edgewater Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Port Charlotte, Florida where a memorial will be held at 17520 Lakeworth Blvd., Port Charlotte, Florida on Monday, August 11th at 3:00P.M.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Tidewell Hospice of Port Charlotte, FL and the American Cancer Society of Port Charlotte, FL. James Patrick Kelly may be kindly remembered at icscremationandfunerals.org and can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/icscremationandfunerals
