Passed peacefully away after a brief illness with his loving family by his side at the James Paton
Memorial Hospital on Thursday December 5, 2024, John J. Kelly of Gambo. Jackie, as he was known, was
predeceased by his parents John and Mary, his parents in law Daniel and Mulliadh, his brothers and
spouses Harry and Mary, Bert and Christine, and his sisters and spouses Angela, and Genieve and
Hunter. His nephews Shawn and Jerry, and niece Kate, brothers-in-law in Gus, Sterling and Johnny,
sister-in-law Elsie and his great nephew William. Leaving to mourn is his life partner, his loving and
devoted wife of 57 years Bunty, daughter Deirdre and Sean and son Brendan and Jennifer. Jackie also
leaves behind his cherished and adored grandchildren Liam, Luke, Olivia, Caitlin and Evan. His sisters
Lizzy, Sheila, and Sadie and Jon. Also leaving to mourn his many in-laws, Mike and Melina, Kelly and Bob, Patsy,
Danny and Geraldine, Heather and Ted, Cameron and Cheryl, Catriona and Lloyd, Fiona and Doug,
Elizabeth and Brian and Ewan and Cindy. Jackie also leaves behind a large circle of many cousins, nieces
and nephews and great nieces and nephews and a large number of friends in the Gambo and Gander
area, in particular his weekly poker game group and his fishing buddies. Jackie could best be described
as a true gentleman, a man of class who was kind to all he encountered. It has been said that a person
can be judged on the way they treat animals. This being the case, then Jackie would get the highest
marks for how he cared for the many stray cats that found their way into his warm garage as well as his
heart. Making sure the fire was lit and providing plenty of food and water were just a few examples and
there are many more. Jackie was a devout Roman Catholic and a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He,
along with Bunty, practiced his faith daily and took part in many of the rituals of daily Mass at Our Lady
of Perpetual Help. It was his great faith that allowed him to accept his recent diagnosis of cancer and
face it without fear, ready to accept what God had planned for him. Jackie also loved a good game of
poker and loved to host many in his aforementioned wood heated garage. In fact, he won the jackpot at
the last game he played just days before his passing. Jackie was also an avid salmon fisherman and his
skilled, easy-going and patient technique landed him many of the prized fish in the Gambo Straits. He
was also a true sportsman, allowing someone new to the hobby a good spot or showing them where to
cast. Like many of his generation, Jackie spent his early career with the CNR, working the daily train
operations. He later obtained a position with the Town of Gander as the recreation manager and
finished his working days managing the rink, a job he took great pride and satisfaction with. Being very
meticulous, as was his trait, the ice just had to be perfect. He always found a way to give back, and
served on the Gambo Town Council for twenty years. Jackie always loved to own a nice car such as a
Grand Marqui and was often asked to drive newly married couples from the church, a task he took great
delight in. As a teenager, he met and was smitten with the love of his life, Bunty. They married, settled
down in his family home in Gambo and raised a wonderful family. They both lived their lives by example,
caring for those in need. In that, Jackie was a true pillar of his community and a role model for us all. In
lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lady of Perpetual Help at r.c.parish@eastlink.ca
"The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" – St. Francis of Assisi

Visitation at Pritchett's Funeral Home Sunday Dec 8.  4 PM - 9 PM

Funeral Service from Roman Catholic Church Monday Dec 9  11 AM

Inurnment to follow