Rev. Msgr. Raymond J. Kelly

Deceased: 2022-04-10

Diocese: BROOKLYN

Seminary Graduation Year: 1962

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Msgr. Raymond J. Kelly, a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, died on April 5, 2022. Msgr. Kelly was born in Brooklyn on May 28, 1936. He was ordained a priest on December 20, 1961, after studies at Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, Brooklyn, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome. While a student in Rome, Msgr. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology (STB) in 1959 and a License in Sacred Theology (STL) in 1961, both from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.Upon his return to the Diocese of Brooklyn in 1961, Msgr. Kelly was assigned as parochial vicar of Saint Margaret Mary, Long Island City (1961-1962); parochial vicar of Saint Barbara, Bushwick (1962-1964); Saint Athanasius, Bensonhurst (1964-1973); and Saint Bartholomew, Elmhurst, (1973-1983)In 1983, Msgr. Kelly was assigned to the pastorate of Saint Malachy, East New York, where he served for many long and fruitful years. Msgr. Kelly was granted the title of Reverend Monsignor (Chaplain of His Holiness) by Pope Saint John Paul II in 2003. Upon his retirement, he moved to the Bishop Mugavero Residence for Senior Priests at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston.

Msgr. Kelly’s eulogy read, in part, “With a lifelong commitment to the dignity of human life, he was passionate [about] pro-life from the start…counseling countless men and women to make the right choice.”

A funeral Mass was held at Immaculate Conception Center on April 13. The celebrant was Bishop Robert Brennan. Interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.