Leo R. Kelly

Leo R. Kelly, 96, of Onondaga Hill, passed away Sunday, September 1, 2013 at home. A lifetime resident of the Syracuse area, he was a graduate of Split Rock High School and Powelson Business Institute. Leo retired from IBM in Syracuse in 1978 after 40 years and was a service manager in the CNY area for 25 years. An Army veteran of WW II, he served in the combat areas of the Southwest Pacific and was master sergeant of his battalion. After WW II, he organized and coached Little League baseball and American Legion basketball teams in the Taunton and Split Rock areas. He also served on the Town of Onondaga Zoning and Planning Boards for 26 years. Leo and his wife, Helen, were members of the Tuscarora Golf Club for 50 years. He served as a trustee of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Split Rock for 58 years and was a volunteer at Van Duyn Home & Hospital for 27 years. He was also a member of the Town of Onondaga Historical Society and charter member of the Howlett Hill Fire Dept. Surviving are his wife of 69 years, the former Helen Kreis; son, Kevin (Anne) Kelly of Syracuse; daughters, Julie Kelly of Syracuse and Sandra (Paul) Birmingham of Penn Yan; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call Thursday, September 5 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at The Church of St. Michael & St. Peter. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Leo will be laid to rest in the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Church of St. Michael & St. Peter, 4782 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215.