John Kelly

Sincere sympathy and condolences, to Nora and the extended Kelly family; on the sad passing of John. He was a man of great ability and achievements.

Dear Nora, so sorry to hear about the death of your dear husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Many he rest in peace.

Very sorry to learn of John's death. He contributed so much to university life in Ireland, in Palestine and across Europe, and in promoting greater engagement and exchange between universities across borders, including between Ireland and Canada. He was always particularly supportive of students, and a trailblazer in terms of enabling greater participation in Irish higher education by students with disabilities. In the 1990s and 2000s John was also a valued and much sought-after team member for institutional evaluation panels organised by the European University Association across many European countries. John was always generous and supportive of younger colleagues, and has left a wonderful legacy of commitment and principled public service as an example to us all.

Sorry to hear of Professor Kelly’s passing. We had John as our lecturer back in the 1980s. He always supported his lecture notes by sharing with us his own personal experience in oil and gas sector and, by doing so, made the classes very interesting.

My sincere condolences to John’s family on his passing. He was tireless in pursuit of all that is good and humanly uplifting. God grant him rest among the angels

John was very supportive of my work that built capacity in academic staff in Africa. When I was on a sabbatical in New York he introduced me to his close friend, Jean Kennedy Smith. Inspirational conversions John shared Newmans "Lead Kindly Light" with me to highlight the importance of surrendering to God's will. It served him well, and everyone around him
Rest in peace.

I was a Student of the late Mr. John Kelly, studying Chemical Engineering from 1966-1970. During my years at College John was a colourful character but always very fair to his students. I really enjoyed my time in College with him. I offer my sincerest sympathy to all John's family. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

My Sincere Sympathy to the Kelly Family on the passing of John Rip.
Suimneas síoraí dá anam dílis

My sincere condolences to John’s family. He was a mentor and an inspiration to us all in Chem. Eng., and he brought style to substance. I had the pleasure of interacting with John again in the context of Irish Aid and, later, the International Fund for Ireland. He was always supportive, and it was wonderful to be in his company. The world is poorer without his presence.

Deepest sympathy to you Merlo and your Family and everyone who knew John. My thoughts are with you at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

Dear James,
What a wonderful eulogy.
You did your Dad proud.
Sending comfort to your lovely mom Nora and all the family.

My deepest sympathy to Nora, James and all the family. It was an honour and a pleasure to have worked with John over the years and he will be greatly missed.

Deepest sympathy to you Nora and your family and to you Kevin. We remember John for his steadfast support from its foundation for the SDLP and his stalwart chairmanship of the SDLP Dublin Group for the best part of 30 years raising much needed funding.
We also enjoyed his warm company with you on other occasions. May God be good to him and look after you.

Cómhbhrón do mhuintir John . Our deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends. I always enjoyed meeting him on his visits to Carna. A most interesting conversationalist with a genuine interest in people .Go mbeidh sé faoi choimirce Dé agus Naomh Macdara.

Deepest condolences. Sorry I couldn't be there. Cliodna

My sincere condolences on John’s death. I had the privilege to serve with him on a number of university committees in UCD and I was always deeply impressed by his commitment to students’ welfare and success and his ambition for what UCD should be able to do to support this. He was a positive influence on many people’s careers and lives in this way and he will be fondly remembered for that.

Our deepest condolences to the family of John. He was a lovely man.

Suaimhneas síoraí d’anam John. As an inspirational leader and a person of great vision we will always appreciate his work with us in the UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore and the UCD College of Arts and Humanities. His work and vision helped so many students and staff to experience a wider world through his work with ICUF. Comhbhrón ó chroí dá chlann ag an am seo.

Rest in peace beannach dia leis

Very sorry to hear about John's passing. He was a scholar and a gentleman who contributed much to his University, to engineering and to the many causes he so energetically supported. My sincere sympathies to the Kelly family on his death. May he rest in peace.

What a wonderful man! We felt privileged to have known John in his waterski days and worked closely with him for years at competitions. Full of enthusiasm, energy and commitment and in many other arenas too.
Deepest sympathies and condolences to Nora and all family.
Roger and Joan

Our deepest sympathy to Nora and all the family. We remember John's good nature and generosity, always a pleasure to meet. Our thoughts are with you all.

Deepest sympathy to Nora and extended family on the sad passing of John .May he rest in peace.

Michael & James and family
My condolences on the passing of your dad. Thinking of you all.
Bill O'Brien

I am deeply saddened to hear that Prof Kelly has passed away. The term trailblazer is often overused but in this instance it really is very apt. John promoted inclusion and diversity long before these were mainstream ideas. He used his talents, intellect and professional connections to support many disabled students to pursue their dreams of achieving a third level education and accessing employment. An impressive legacy.
It was a privilege to witness John's boundless energy first hand as an employee with AHEAD, many years ago.
My deepest sympathy to John's wife, children, grandchildren and extended family. I hope the memories you have of John will help you at this very difficult time.
Sleep well Prof Kelly, you have left Ireland a better place, particularly for many disabled people.

So sorry to learn of John’s death, Nora. You know how involved he was in HEDCO and when he became chairman he provided enormous support to me and others in the secretariat. And he was always a great source of wisdom and fun for academic visitors from Africa and the developing world. We’ll all miss his immense energy and sharp mind. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Dear Nora and family.
Sincerest sympathy on John 's passing . Fond memories of the early days of water skiing in Ireland . A great friend .

John Kelly was a real Renaissance Man of extraordinary energy, enthusiasm, and kindness. An engineer, academic, administrator, social activist, consummate networker, diplomat and recently a historian and writer who documented James Joyce’s formative years at UCD, A dapper dresser from Newry with a light lilting accent who touched many during his rich full life. I was his student in Chemical Engineering, a witness to his formation of the Ireland Canada University Foundation, and I got to carry his bags and take his picture during a State dinner with Bertie Hearn in Ottawa, Canada! His death brought back fond memories. Mise le mór meas.

Sending deepest sympathies to beloved Merlo and family at this sad time. Your dads life was one very well lived, a wonderful legacy. We keep you in our hearts, and sing with your sadness. Xx

Sincerest sympathies to the Kelly family. John was a great support to Engineers Ireland Chemicals & Process Division - including giving a great lecture at our Annual Forum in the Maritime Museum, just last year.
- Committee of EI Chemicals & Process Division

Sincerest sympathy on the sad passing of John. We are grateful for happy memories.

Merlo, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I know he was a wonderful support and inspiration to you and that he will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy, Carole.

Deepest sympathies to James, Aoife, Méiní, Luke, and all the Kelly family on the passing of John. My thoughts are with you all at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

Our heartfelt sympathy to the entire Kelly family. Mr. Kelly was a wonderful soul who touched many lives with his knowledge, work and kindness. We are stunned by his sudden passing. I have always cherished the lifelong memories of times with Mr. Kelly and family from Maryland & Missouri to Ireland. I would not be the same had our family paths not crossed.
May peace be with you all as you heal and adjust. May you know you have much love and many prayers from abroad. With love & friendship always. - Katy Marchello

We extend our deepest sympathy to you Nora, to James, Merlo, Michael and Johnny, and to all of the family on the death of John.
Beannacht Dé le anam dílis John.

Dear James so sorry for your loss. I was in first year college with you. My heart goes out to you and your family. I was very lucky to meet your father in my post graduate research days. He supported by research, gave me his time and expertise, linked me with people, and gave me my first professional job outside UCD. I will be forever grateful for his gentle way and his profound impact on my career. May he rest in peace with all gone before us.

Please accept sincere sympathies from Anne and myself. We will remember John in our prayers.

Our deepest sympathies to Michael and family on the death of your father John.May he rest in peace.

Known to most of us in UCD Chem Eng Dept Tech Staff simply as ‘Doc Kelly’, he was a decent man. RIP Doc Kelly

Sincere sympathy to Nora and family especially Merlo on the passing of John RIP.An encouraging friend and great company especially over the formative years of the JKS ambassadorship in Dublin.Always positive and a believer in scholarship as shown by his book on Joyce as recently as last year.Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Sorry for your loss beannach dia leis

Love and sympathy to Nora and all the family. Happy memories of John studying with my brother in my family home in Ranelagh many moons ago!

Shocked at the passing of John Kelly. I offer my depest sympatyhies to Nora and the Kelly family.
John was a warm person with a deep interest in the careers of all his Chemical Engineering alumni, even driving on his Fulbright year in Maryland to visit three of us in California. He was also a generous mentor when seeking a job on return to Ireland. He had wide interests outside UCD, including peace in Northern Ireland and supporting Bethlehem University. My last meetings with John involved his well-researched book published in 2021, Joyce The Student, read with great interest by myself and many friends.

Ní maith linn a dtrioblóid. Solas Na bhFlaitheas d’anam John.

My deepest condolences to James and family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Sincere sympathy on the death of Prof Kelly, a lovely man. He gave me the opportunity to work with international students, for which I was always grateful.
May he rest in peace. Carl Lusby

Comhbhron le Nora is an clann ar fad,

So sorry to hear of John's death. He was in turn a mentor, a supervisor, an electoral rival and always a friend to me. He gave great quiet service to the cause of peace in Northern Ireland while at the same time developing a high level academic career. I was proud to see him as a friend in later life and always enjoyed meeting him to discuss politics and education. Go raibh leaba i measc na naomh aige.

The news of John’s passing came as a sudden and severe blow. My deepest sympathies go to Nora and all the family on this tragic news. John was always a very positive influence for me, particularly his very supportive role in UCD Chemical Engineering in Merrion St and in his key help with my position and time in Rolla. On my return, his cheerful mentorship and adventurous spirit reminded me of what it really means to be as a member of the staff in UCD. As a well-known historical figure once noted ‘I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well’. To John, RIP.

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Professor Kelly. He was a visionary Registrar with his championing of co-curricular and extra-curricular student life in UCD, founding the UCD Societies Council, and overseeing vast improvements in funding levels and supports for student societies. My condolences to Michael and family on his passing.

Sincere sympathy to Nora and the extended Kelly family on the death of John.
He was a highly talented academic and thorough gentleman.
It was a pleasure to have worked with him over the years.
Suaimhneas ar a anam uasal.

Dear Nora
Noreen and I offer our most sincere sympathy on John's Passinng. I had great respect for his
very significant contribution at U.C.D. A man of great ability and integrity.
also hugely liked his company in Fitzwilliam
Jerry Liston

Sincere sympathy to all the Kelly family on the passing of John our thoughts are with you on this sad occasion

Sincere condolences to the Kelly family on the news that John has passed from this life, RIP.
He will be remembered with deep admiration for concern for, and commitment to, the cause of Bethlehem University for over three decades, and (as Chair of HEDCO) for his wider vision of higher education in the service of human development at the global level.

Sincere condolences on the death of your dad James and family

Our wonderful friend and fellow Fulbrighter, Dr John Kelly has passed away, RIP.

Our sincere condolences go to his wife Nora, his sons James, Merlo, Michael, and Johnny, grandchildren, and extended family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this very sad and difficult time. We are grateful for his wonderful work in higher education in Ireland, and his unstinting commitment and enthusiasm for all things ‘Fulbright’. He made an enormous contribution and legacy to professional learning and development, recognised by his great friends in the Fulbright family, students, stakeholders and higher education colleagues.

We will quietly remember our great friend and colleague, a loving father and son, a Braveheart and champion of learning and opportunity for everyone.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

My deepest sympathies to John's family. University College Dublin is the beneficiary of many of John's quiet interventions and additions. He was a great colleague with a keen sense of the greater good.

Deepest Sympathy to James, Meini, Luke and Aoife. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Deepest sympathy to Nóra and all family on death of John, a longtime friend, tennis partner and occasional fellow sailor.

My sincere condolences to the Kelly family. John was one of my lecturers in Chem. Eng., UCD, eons ago and I always enjoyed his clear expositions and good humor (not to mention his Northern Ireland accent).