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James Bruno Kelly

Posted 2019-06-20 by Judy Wight Branson
Westcott Funeral Home, Cottonwood, Arizona
October 2005

Father James Kelly

Born in Milltown, Kerry, Ireland on Oct. 6, 1934.
Departed on Oct. 9, 2005 and resided in Camp Verde, Arizona.

Father James Kelly, 71, Pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church
of Camp Verde died suddenly October 9, 2005.

A native of Ireland, he was born, October 6, 1934 in Milltown, County
Kerry, Ireland, the son of Daniel and Ellen (O'Connor) Kelly.

He attended National School in Dungeel from 1941 to 1947 and the
Presentation Brothers school from 1947-1949. He went on to Mount
Mellery Seminary in Coppoquin County, Waterford from 1949-1956. He
then attended St. Patrick's College in Carlow from 1956 to 1960.
Father Kelly was ordained on June 11, 1960 in the Carlow Cathedral in
Ireland by Bishop Thomas Keogh.

Father Kelly served the following parishes in Arizona: Sacred Heart
Church in Nogales from 1960-1961; St. Ambrose Church in Tucson from
1961-1965; St. Mary's Church in Chandler from 1965-1970; as founding
Pastor of Our Lady of Guadelupe Church in Tempe from 1970-1972; and
became the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Valley in Phoenix in
1973.

Several years later he took a sabbatical. He was appointed the
Administrator of St. Philip Benizi Mission in Black Canyon City from
1989-1992. Father Kelly was appointed pastor of St. Frances Cabrini
Church in July of 1992 and served until his death.

Father Kelly was devoted to his parishoners and despite health
problems was a regular visitor to patients in the hospital and at
local convalescent homes.

He leaves four brothers, Ned Kelly of Austrailia, Brian Kelly, Daniel
Kelly, Kevin Kelly, a sister, Abbie Kelly O'Brien all of County
Kerry, Ireland and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 16th at 5:00 p.m. in St.
Frances Cabrini Church. Rosary and Vigil Service will be held at 7:00
p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 17 in St. Frances
Cabrini Church in Camp Verde at 10 a.m. Bishop Thomas Olmstead will
preside.

Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery in Cottonwood.




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