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KELLY, ROLAND D. -- Roland D. Kelly, 83, a successful North Shore auto dealer, died Monday, September 1, 2008 at Beverly Hospital following a lengthy illness. He was the loving husband of Elinor (Kiley) Kelly, with whom he shared sixty years of marriage.
Born in Lynn on Aug. 26, 1925, he was the son of the late Norman and Jessie (McPhail) Kelly. He was raised and educated in Peabody, and was a graduate of Peabody Veterans' Memorial High School, Class of 1943.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following his aviation training, Lt. Kelly flew B-17 heavy bombers to and from the Aleutian Islands.
For twenty-three years, Roland was employed by the former C.E. Whitten dealership in Salem. In 1965, He founded his dealership, Roland D. Kelly, Inc., known today as the Kelly Automotive Group. During his years in the auto industry, he served as president of the Nissan Advisory Board, and was an innovator in the importation of Japanese automobiles to the United States.
A member of the Maple Street Congregational Church and the Amity-Mosaic Lodge, AF&AM, he was a Danvers resident for over sixty years. He was a member of Danvers VFW, C.W. Davis Post 2389, the Danvers American Legion, Post 180, where he served as chaplain, Squadron 7, and the Confederate Air Force.
A man of many hobbies, he learned several instruments and played in several music groups over the years. In his early days, he enjoyed racing cars at the West Peabody Speedway with his brother-in-law, Ken Kiley; and his later years, spent many pleasurable hours on his motorcycle. He was also a member of the North Shore Old Car Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children: Cathleen Kavanagh and her husband Francis of Danvers, Daniel Kelly and his wife Tina of Danvers, Brian Kelly of Boston, and Neil Kelly and his companion Wanda Brown of Plaistow, NH; eight grandchildren: Gary, Lisa, Brian, and Brendan Kelly, Kristen Heney, and April, Krista, and Drew Kavanagh; 4 great grandchildren: Brian Kelly Jr., and Kellan, Casey, and Connor Kelly; a sister, Dorothy Hussey; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Colleen Kelly.
His funeral service will be celebrated on Friday, September 5, 2008 at 10AM in the Maple Street Congregation Church, Danvers. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4-8PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Kelly's name may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Charles W. Davis Post 2389, 5 Conant St., Danvers, MA 01923. Online directions and condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com.

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