George Tomlinson Kelley

Lifelong Athlete Was Coach And Teacher

George Tomlinson Kelley, 85, Hartsdale, N.Y., died in his sleep at home, February 9, surrounded by his family, after a long illness. He was born February 10, 1926, in Mt Vernon, N.Y., to Mary Frances and Edward Jeremiah Kelley.

The loving and devoted husband of 53 years to Gerri Sullivan of Larchmont, N.Y., together they raised seven children, including Jeanne Carney of Newtown. He will be missed by his 17 grandchildren; and 13 nieces and nephews. His brothers Richard and Edward predeceased him.

He captained both baseball and football teams at Iona Prep in New Rochelle, N.Y., for two years and was voted MVP in football, and lettered in basketball, swimming, track, and tennis. It is expected that an outstanding high school student and athlete would receive several scholarship offers from interested colleges, but Mr Kelley received a record of 18 from several prestigious schools. Before accepting any offers, he entered the Army Air Corps.

While at Holy Cross, Mr Kelley was awarded a contract to play baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1950, he was drafted by The Boston Braves of the National League and Los Angeles Rams of the American League in football. He continued his studies at Teachers College at Columbia University, earning MA degrees in education, physical education, and health.

He taught and coached at Iona Prep and Eastchester High School, retiring in 1988. Following his retirement, he was a crossing guard for the Greenburgh Police Department.

The Kelleys have been parishioners of Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale for 50 years, where he volunteered with the CCD program and other aspects of the church, including membership of The Holy Name Society and The Knights of Columbus.

Memorial donations maybe made to The Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org, or Iona Preparatory School Scholarship Fund, 255 Wilmot Road, New Rochelle NY 10804.

The Newtown Bee        February 17, 2012