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Obituary for Donald Poad Kelley
Donald Poad Kelley, age 79, of New Castle, DE, formerly of Carney’s Point, NJ, passed on peacefully surrounded by his family at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, on Friday, January 23, 2015.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was the son of the late John and Mildred (Poad) Kelley. Donald was a graduate of Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre and earned an Associates of Arts degree in Business from Goldey-Beacom College, Wilmington, DE.
Donald proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, 1953-1956, earning the rank of Sergeant. Following his honorable discharge, he began a career in retail with F.W. Woolworth in Philadelphia where he met his bride-to-be. Other employers included American Chicle, W.T. Grant and Ethan Allen. He greatly enjoyed co-owning and managing a Burger Chef in Pennsville, NJ. He spent the last 20 years of his career in operations management, retiring in 1997 from Chevron in Philadelphia. In his retirement, Donald spent many happy years as a service vehicle driver for Lexus of Wilmington.
A devoted family man, “Poadie” cherished spending time with his loved ones, especially his grandchildren. Traveling was a favorite pastime, enjoying cruises with wife, Arlene, and excursions to England, Ireland, Italy, Cape Cod and the Jersey Shore with family. He was a devout, longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church, Bear, DE. Donald’s positive outlook, even in the most difficult times, inspired all who knew him. He had a compassionate, loving heart, a giving spirit and he touched many lives. He was truly “a good man”.
Donald was predeceased by his loving wife of 46 years, Arlene (nee Tolles) and his brother Paul Kelley. He is survived by his son, Randal Kelley and wife Cynthia, Pilesgrove, NJ; daughters Tracy Nalbandian and husband Edward, Weston, CT, Loren Assenza and husband Lawrence, Marlboro, NJ; his sister Lois Young, St. Thomas, PA; his brother Howard Kelley and wife Elaine, Wyoming, PA; his grandchildren, Ryan and Megan Kelley, Kellie and Eric Nalbandian, and Lucia and Luke Assenza; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 2nd, at 7:30p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 2265 Red Lion Road, Bear, DE. Visitation with the family is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. Interment with military honors will take place Tuesday, February 3rd at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.
The family would like to thank Dr. Aldo Iacono, Medical Director, Lung Transplant Program, Teresa Hughes, RN transplant coordinator and the staff at the University of Maryland Medical Center for providing Donald the lifesaving gift of a lung transplant in October 2012 and superb, ongoing care. Special thanks to his loving caregiver, Joan Garden, as well as his compassionate friend and neighbor, Stanley Barnhill.
To honor Donald’s life, prayerfully consider learning more about organ and tissue donation by visiting Donate Life America (www.donatelife.net) and registering as an organ donor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to University of Maryland lung research by calling 1-877-386-3766 and specifying the Lung Healing program or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation by calling 1-888-733-6741.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was the son of the late John and Mildred (Poad) Kelley. Donald was a graduate of Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre and earned an Associates of Arts degree in Business from Goldey-Beacom College, Wilmington, DE.
Donald proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, 1953-1956, earning the rank of Sergeant. Following his honorable discharge, he began a career in retail with F.W. Woolworth in Philadelphia where he met his bride-to-be. Other employers included American Chicle, W.T. Grant and Ethan Allen. He greatly enjoyed co-owning and managing a Burger Chef in Pennsville, NJ. He spent the last 20 years of his career in operations management, retiring in 1997 from Chevron in Philadelphia. In his retirement, Donald spent many happy years as a service vehicle driver for Lexus of Wilmington.
A devoted family man, “Poadie” cherished spending time with his loved ones, especially his grandchildren. Traveling was a favorite pastime, enjoying cruises with wife, Arlene, and excursions to England, Ireland, Italy, Cape Cod and the Jersey Shore with family. He was a devout, longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church, Bear, DE. Donald’s positive outlook, even in the most difficult times, inspired all who knew him. He had a compassionate, loving heart, a giving spirit and he touched many lives. He was truly “a good man”.
Donald was predeceased by his loving wife of 46 years, Arlene (nee Tolles) and his brother Paul Kelley. He is survived by his son, Randal Kelley and wife Cynthia, Pilesgrove, NJ; daughters Tracy Nalbandian and husband Edward, Weston, CT, Loren Assenza and husband Lawrence, Marlboro, NJ; his sister Lois Young, St. Thomas, PA; his brother Howard Kelley and wife Elaine, Wyoming, PA; his grandchildren, Ryan and Megan Kelley, Kellie and Eric Nalbandian, and Lucia and Luke Assenza; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 2nd, at 7:30p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 2265 Red Lion Road, Bear, DE. Visitation with the family is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church. Interment with military honors will take place Tuesday, February 3rd at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.
The family would like to thank Dr. Aldo Iacono, Medical Director, Lung Transplant Program, Teresa Hughes, RN transplant coordinator and the staff at the University of Maryland Medical Center for providing Donald the lifesaving gift of a lung transplant in October 2012 and superb, ongoing care. Special thanks to his loving caregiver, Joan Garden, as well as his compassionate friend and neighbor, Stanley Barnhill.
To honor Donald’s life, prayerfully consider learning more about organ and tissue donation by visiting Donate Life America (www.donatelife.net) and registering as an organ donor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to University of Maryland lung research by calling 1-877-386-3766 and specifying the Lung Healing program or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation by calling 1-888-733-6741.
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