Ernest John Kelly

Ernest J. Kelly, age 82, of Denham Springs, LA, passed away peacefully under hospice care at Our Lady of the Lake on Saturday, July 1, 2023. He was the son of the late Grace E. Kelly of Littleton, MA and Herbert D. Kelly of Lehigh Acres, FL. Ernie is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Jane Kelly of Oakland, CA and step-daughter Paige M. Smith of Denham Springs, LA; brothers, Duncan P. Kelly of North Andover, MA, and Kevin J. Kelly of Hollis, NH; and many relatives. He is preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Allyson McKay Kelly. Ernie graduated from Merrimack College in 1963. In 1964, he joined the U.S. Air Force for five and a half years of active duty during which he was assigned to USAF bases in CA, TX, IN, and NC and overseas in Guam, Vietnam, Thailand, Okinawa, and South Korea. He rose to the rank of Captain prior to returning to civilian life. He was a life member of both The American Legion and The Veterans of Foreign Wars. Ernie spent 50 years in the commercial paper industry in sales and marketing management. He obtained national and international management positions for domestic and Canadian-based firms and was renowned for his customer service and fun-loving humor. Ernie was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denham Springs and was active in the Knights of Columbus, the Men's Club, and enjoyed ushering at Mass on the weekend. A graveside service will be at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 11am. Inurnment will immediately follow.