John A. (Jack) Kelly, 64 of Newport and Portsmouth passed away on October 24, 2016 at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Hospice Center in Providence after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. Jack was born in Newport, Rhode Island on June 20, 1952. He is predeceased by his parents John and Theresa Kelly and his niece Brigid Kelly. He is survived by his brother Tim and his wife Margaret of Newport, RI, his sister Ann and her husband Kevin Kirwin of Andover, Massachusetts, and his brother Chris of Newport, RI. He is also survived by his nieces Elise Kelly, Dana Kirwin and his nephew Logan Kirwin.
Jack was a Vietnam Era Veteran who served in the United States Army Military Police Corp. He had a passion for nature and environmental issues. He was the Nature Columnist for Newport This Week. He enjoyed photographing and writing about migratory birds and the Island’s wild life. He was affectionately known by his readers as the Birdman. His most recent notable articles involved “Cliff the Coyote”. He volunteered for Save the Bay, the Audubon Society, and served on the Board of Directors for the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. He also photographed and wrote many articles regarding the Narragansett Bay Coyote Study directed by Dr. Numi Mitchell.
Calling hours will be from 4-7 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street Newport, RI.
Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 10:00 am at St. Augustin’s Church, Carroll Avenue, Newport, RI.
Burial will be at the Rhode Island Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, RI.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to https://www.youcaring.com/jack-kelly-677567 in order to offset funeral and final expenses.
