Neal B Kelly

On Friday, July 3, 2020, Neal B. Kelly of Columbia, MD passed away at home surrounded by family and loved ones after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Neal was born in Wilmington, DE in 1933 to Francis and Mildred Miles Kelly, Neal attended Salesianum High School where he excelled in academics as well as sports playing football, softball and track.  He went on to graduate from the University of Delaware with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  After serving in the U.S. Army in 1957-58, he completed his military commitment as a member of the National Guard.  Neal began his career with E I Dupont in Wilmington and retired in 1991 after a 23 year career with Hewlett Packard.  The years following retirement were filled with family and travel.  His love of the ocean was fulfilled by days and weekends spent in Stone Harbor, NJ and his love of family and fun spent at the family vacation home at The Woods in West Virginia.  Memories were created teaching grandchildren to swim, play tennis and trying to win against Granddad in Uno, Phase10, dominoes and Chinese checkers.  Cruises to many ports and travel to Alaska and Europe satisfied his need for a change of scenery.

Neal was a man of few words but when they were uttered they were always kind, thoughtful and wise.  A quiet presence in any room, he was the true symbol of strength within the family and looked to for guidance and instruction.

He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Barbara Foley Kelly;  sister, Marie Kelly Marsh;  four devoted daughters  Nancy (Tom) Basaldua, Joan Kelly of Singapore, Beth Kelly, and Denise (Tracey) Trout.  He also leaves to cherish his memory ten grandchildren;  Debra (Tyler Sampson) Basaldua, Rachel Basaldua, Daniel Basaldua, Rebecca Basaldua, Rosie Mazzarella, Daniel Mazzarella,  Eilene Trout, Elly (Kirk) Trammell, Anna (Seth) Trammell, and Alyssa Trout and two great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Mary Johnson, Jeannette (Mike) Mattie, and Margaret (Robert) Strange; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Francis Kelly, Joanne Kelly Toft, George Kelly, Patrick Kelly, Robert Kelly and an infant sister, Nancy Kelly.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville,P.A., 12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029 on Saturday, July 11, 2020 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM with a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM.  Interment will be held at a later date in Quincy, MA.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to one of the following:  Daniel's Table, 10 Pearl Street, Framingham, MA 01702 or Gilchrist Hospice Center, 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, MD 21031

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