David J. Kelly

The world has lost a warrior. David J. Kelly, of North Syracuse, passed away on December 21, 2022 at the age of 76. Born to Arthur and Margaret G. (Sharrow) Kelly on October 27, 1946, David spent his formative years living in Camillus and was a member of the first graduating class of the new West Genesee High School. After a fun but less than stellar stint at Cornell, David enlisted in the Navy. The Navy took him and his Austin Healey Sprite to Illinois and Maryland, where he met the love of his life, Leslie (Ludington) Kelly, and then Spain and Newport, Rhode Island. After the birth of his children, Shannon and Sean, and his discharge from the Navy, he and Leslie moved back to Syracuse to raise their family and create a beautiful life together. If one were to look up the word “perseverance” in the dictionary, David’s picture would be front and center. The universe threw David challenge upon challenge throughout his life, all of which he faced with his characteristic ethic: any problem can be solved with some careful thought and a lot of hard work. In the early years, he went to night school and finished his college degree while working full time and helping raise his family. Years spent at Crucible Steel in Syracuse were marked by early mornings and stressful days all in the name of providing a good life for his family, and a nest egg for his and Leslie’s retirement. His later years saw a host of hurdles to be overcome – multiple cancer diagnoses, a stem cell transplant, heart ailments, and caring for Leslie at home during her debilitating illness. He faced all of these challenges with grace and a determination to overcome. David’s life wasn’t all about rising above adversity. It was also about competition, sometimes annoyingly so. He was a proud trivia leader, claiming that he wasn’t allowed to play because he knew all of the answers. He hated being bested on the golf course, and kept track of every fish he caught in a years-long competition with his son and grandson. Every year, he won the war of the dreaded maple helicopters, sometimes vacuuming them from his lawn. And his ability to eat more steamers than anyone in the family is the stuff of legend. David’s dedication to taking care of those he loved is a legacy we all hope to honor. David was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Margaret, his wife Leslie, and his brother-in-law, Rodney Ludington. He is survived by his brother, Arthur (Susan) Kelly; daughter, Shannon (Jim) Heffron and their children Meghan and Ryan; son, Sean (Erin) Kelly and their son Christopher; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rick (Brenda) Ludington, David (Debbie) Ludington, Bob (Carrie) Ludington, and Marie Ludington; numerous nieces and nephews; and a list of friends that would take up the rest of this page. He was well-loved and admired, and his absence will be felt intensely by all who were privileged to know him. A memorial party will take place on Thursday, January 5th from 4-8 PM at The Spinning Wheel, 7384 Thompson Rd. North Syracuse. Food and drink will be provided; please bring stories and memories to share. Should anyone wish to make a charitable donation in David’s memory, gifts can be directed to Roswell Park Cancer Center: give.Roswellpark.org/goto/DaveKelly

Tributes

David J. Kelly

December 21, 2022