Shawn Edward Kelly

Shawn Edward Kelly of Halifax passed away suddenly at home on April 15, 2024. Loving husband of Patricia (Patty) and son of the late James and Ruth Kelly, he was born in Halifax on January 21,1964 and proudly grew up in the city’s North End. While he never moved far from those roots, the number of people whose lives he touched though his friendship and kindness was far reaching.

Growing up, he played many sports at a high level and by high school he became a successful fast pitch catcher. His midget team was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. After high school, he played for a number of senior teams and attended national and international championships.

The focus of his competitive spirit moved from team sports to dog sports after he and Patty got their first golden retriever. Many training programs, dog shows and competitions later, they eventually grew their golden family to five, and their “dog world” family to hundreds, many of whom became their closest friends. In 2010, Shawn was certified as an Obedience and Rally Judge, a role that he relished and for which he was highly respected. He remained in demand across the country, taking part in his last trial in Truro on April 14.

In 2021, Shawn retired from a career with the federal government that spanned three decades and multiple departments, including Customs and Border Services Canada, Transport Canada and Environment Canada. Principally working in areas of intelligence and enforcement, he was, by nature, serious about following rules.

He sometimes had a “cool” demeanor that fell short of disguising a heart that was bigger than the sky, and an irrepressibly playful, and sometimes wry, sense of humour.

His imagination was matched only by his energy, and retirement only accelerated his drive to pursue an incredible array of interests and projects, too broad and eclectic to encapsulate. He undertook them all with purpose and dedication, and often with the ultimate goal of helping or simply bringing joy to someone else.

Shawn embraced many passions, but none more than Patty, the love of his life and wife of 37 fun-filled years. The names “Shawn and Patty” have been fused together since they met in high school in 1981. The gratitude for the gift of that great love story will carry her through these difficult days.

Shawn was predeceased by his parents, James and Ruth and his sister-in-law, Karen. He is survived by his wife Patty, brothers and sisters Bernie, Ray (Nancy), Marilyn, Carolyn and Jackie (Darren) McCallum. He is also survived by nieces, Laura, Emerald, Sterling, and nephews, Pierce, Cooper and Cole, along with sisters-in-law Paula Kennedy (Dino DiMattia) and Penny Kennedy (Anthony Caldwell). Shawn was a pillar of the large, tight-knit, joyful and loving Kelly family, and will be deeply missed by all.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23 at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Catherine’s Church on Wednesday, April 24, at 10 a.m. Reception to follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.

The family is profoundly grateful for the flood of condolences and wonderful stories about Shawn that have already been shared. We would welcome any further thoughts and memories you would like to share, at this email: [email protected]