Obituary of Robert James Kelly

Robert James Kelly, 97 of Old Tappan, NJ and Lake Naomi, PA passed away peacefully on Monday November 4, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral mass will be held 10 AM Tuesday November 12 at St. Virgil’s Church, 250 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, NJ. Visitation is on Monday November 11 from 5 to 7 PM at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, NJ.

Bob was born and raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and West New York, New Jersey. During WWII his patriotism inspired him to enlist in the Merchant Marines. He traveled the world bringing fuel and supplies to our Armed Forces. In 1954 Bob served in the army during the Korean War studying at the University of Heidelberg in Germany and in 1960 graduated Fairleigh Dickinson University as an electronic engineer. After working in sales at Bendix, he opened Dataprobe in Hackensack NJ, with a partner. After a few years Bob set out on his own and formed Communication Devices Inc., South Hackensack, NJ and later, Clifton NJ supporting data security for the news industry and the 1976 Olympic Games in Canada. He was granted several major patents. Always the happy Irishman, his love for Irish music and dance was handed down to his children, and he had a joke and a smile, and a story for everyone. As an avid sailor at Lake Naomi, Bob founded the “Not Ready for Prime-Time sailors (known to this day as NRPT)” to help guide new sailors on how to race and have fun while doing so. He also raced a Laser sailboat in the Caribbean at the Bitter End Yacht Club and won the Ancient Mariner Award in his late 60’s. He sought out the shy or lonely people around him and brought them into his community. Bob made many friends this way and changed their lives. He was kind with his words, knowledge, and love.

Bob was the beloved husband of the late Lillian Kelly, cherished father of Kathleen Kelly of Harding, PA; Colleen Burt and her husband Greg, of Oceanside, CA; Moirsheen Kelly-Keesing and her husband Doug, of Melbourne, Australia; Tadhg Kelly and his wife Pam, of Randolph, NJ; Tara Hickey and her Husband Robert of Sparta, NJ. Adored grandfather of Liam Kelly and his wife Megan; Meaghan Kelly; Erin and Banning Burt; and Niamh Keesing. Great grandfather to Declan and Maeve Kelly, and Shayla and Stella Burt. In Lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Robert can be made to Project Liberty Ship https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E344393&id=7.