Richard Kelley

Richard J. Kelley
1932 - 2020


Cromwell, CT Richard J. Kelley, 88, husband of Lorraine (Telles) Kelley, died peacefully on December 31, 2020 at Middlesex Hospital.

Richard was born on September 23, 1932 in Waterbury, CT a son of the late Richard J. and Margaret (Quinn) Kelley and grew up in the Union City section of Naugatuck. Richard graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1951 and from 1952-1956 he served honorably in the U.S. Air Force with duty in Okinawa, Japan and the Philippines. Richard graduated from Bryant College in 1958 with a BS in Accounting. He worked as an accountant for local government and wholesale grocery and was an office manager in a jewelry store. He retired from the UCONN Health Center after working 25 years as an Assistant Controller and a Director of Auxiliary Services.

Richard’s hobbies included golf, reading, remote control airplanes and sailboats. He enjoyed boating and traveling but most of all spending time with his family. He was most thankful for marrying Lorraine, the love of his life, and for raising four fantastic kids, Richard, David, Stephen and Karen. Richard’s wish and hope for all of his family and friends is happiness in life and prosperity.

In addition to Lorraine, his loving wife of 65 years, Richard is survived by his sons, Richard J. Kelley, Jr. of Simsbury, CT, David W. Kelley of Mahtomedi, MN, Stephen J. Kelley of Peoria, AZ; his daughter, Karen (Kelley) Misbach; 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his grandparents, Richard and Maryann Kelley and James Quinn; his sister, Margaret Marshall; his brother, Robert Kelley and his wife, Patricia Fitzgerald and his nephew, Robert Kelley.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11:00am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck. Those attending are asked to please meet directly at church. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck. There are no calling hours and arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. Everyone attending Richard’s services is required to wear a facial covering and to adhere to social distancing requirements.To honor Richard’s memory donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org.