Thomas 'Tom' Kelly

Our much loved father slipped away peacefully, aged 92, on December 26, 2016, with family by his side. Born in Kenmare, in County Kerry, Ireland on July 15, 1924, Tom truly loved Ireland and would return almost every year, and, well into his 80s, always with a pair of dancing shoes in tow. He embraced life. From his choirboy days in Ireland to his final weeks in Canada, he always had a song at the ready and no hesitation about belting out a tune -- no matter the hour. He loved to sing, loved to laugh, loved the great Canadian outdoors, but most of all, loved his family. He met Catherine Gaine at a wake in 1955 and after a whirlwind romance, they married and moved to Canada. He spent many years in Toronto, where he worked for Ontario Hydro, and later near Havelock, where he had a hobby farm. He later lived in Marmora before joining family in Oakville.


Tom is greatly missed by daughters, Belinda (Alex), Frances (Peter) and Carolyn (Chris), son, John (Cathy), grandchildren, Amber, Donald and Clare, and brother, Dan, of London, England. He is predeceased by parents, John and Mary Kelly, Catherine, his wife of 40 years, and siblings, Tim, John, Paddy, Mary, Abby, Peg, Barbara, Annie, Ellie and Jo.


Special thanks to the compassionate staff at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, for the kindness shown by Halton Paramedics, and for the loving care Tom received at The Waterford in Oakville.


Visitation will be held at Ward Funeral Home, 109 Reynolds St., Oakville, on January 3, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Funeral Mass to follow at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, 47 Reynolds St., Oakville at 1:00 p.m.


Donations may be made to Acclaim Health in Oakville, where Tom enjoyed the Adult Day Program, or the Alzheimer Society of Hamilton Halton.


Please visit the Book of Memories at www.wardfuneralhome.com