James P. Kelley, Jr.

James Patrick Kelley Jr. passed away March 30, 2021 at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. He died peacefully with family by his side after an unexpected illness. Jim was born March 5, 1941 in St. Stephen, NB to James P. Kelley Sr. and Vivian (Dunn) Kelley. He was their only child and was raised in Calais, ME. He attended Calais High School, where he met the love of his life, Hazel Jean Kelley. The two were married on September 20, 1957 and went on to have three children – Jim, Kathy and David. They worked tirelessly together to run a family business, Kelley’s Apparel in Calais. They then moved to the Brewer/Holden area and continued to work together at Macy’s. When not working, they enjoyed family trips together around the coastal area of Maine. Jim was a history buff and loved to learn about the places they visited. Jim and Jean not only shared an epic love story, but they shared a passion for the same hobbies as well. They enjoyed collecting and selling vintage postcards, and loved hunting for treasures at auctions across Maine. Both also greatly enjoyed singing; Jim most recently sang baritone for the barbershop quartet “The Rusty Pipes Quartet”. His passion was performing, both solo and with his wife, in a variety of shows including the Mainely Music Chorus. Jim is predeceased by his son James P. Kelley III and daughter-in-law Donna (Collins) Kelley. He is survived by and cherished by his wife of 63 years, Jean Kelley, known to her as “Mr. Wonderful”. Jim is also survived by his daughter Kathy J. Kelley and son David J. Kelley; grandchildren Amanda Lawless, Tonya Stewart, Candace Kelley-Welch, Tara Small, Joseph Lyons, Kayla Kelley, Liam Kelley and Alison Kelley; and great-grandchildren Cameron Kelley, Summer Stewart, Isaac Stewart and William Small. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 3 pm on Sunday April 11th at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home at 133 Center Street, Bangor, with refreshments immediately following the ceremony. Condolences may be sent to Jean Kelley at Westgate Center, 750 Union Street, Bangor, ME 04401.