Henry J "Sonny" Kelly

Henry Joseph "Sonny" Kelly of Saranac, NY died peacefully at home on Thursday, July 2, 2015 in Saranac, NY at the age of 78 after a 14 year battle with Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Henry is survived by his wife of 56 years Zelda Jean (nee Hamilton) Kelly of Saranac, NY. His children, Edward (Amy) Kelly, Steven Kelly. Marie Kelly of Dannemora, NY and her companion Rick LaVarnway, cherished grandfather of Sean, Lauren, Eddie, Donovan, and Ryan Kelly Brandon Tuttle, and Dylan Best. His Great Grandchildren, Leah Catherine and Oden Tuttle .Also survived by his Brother Paul (Patty) Kelly of Cresco, PA., Sister In Law Teresa of Bolingbrook, IL, Sister in Law Monica Hamilton of Sydney, Australia, Brother in Laws Kevin Hamilton of Tuahiwi, New Zealand, and Clive Hamilton of Waikanai, New Zealand, Nephews and Nieces Kevin Kelly of Bolingbrook, IL. Matthew (Michelle) Smith of Staten Island,NY, Jamal, Aaron, Jason, Lynaire, and Carla Hamilton of New Zealand. Henry also leaves behind his cousins Michael (Linda) and Charles (Barbara) Carroll, Maureen (Richard) Rafter, Glenn, Christine, Keith, Shawn, Kevin, and Jeffrey Carroll, Pamela (Carroll) Rutzler, Jacqueline and Colleen Rafter, as well as his Valvano and O'Sullivan cousins Godson Paul Good (Anita, Megan, Shannon) of Kitchener, ON Canada. Henry was preceded in death by his Sister Eileen Smith and her husband Drew , brother James Kelly, daughter in law Annmarie (Dellibovie) Kelly, nephew Darren Hamilton, Niece, Rachel Morgan Kelly , cousin Joseph Carroll, brother in law Wallace Hamilton ,and nephew William Kay. Henry was born on June 4, 1937 in Brooklyn, NY, the oldest child of Henry V. Kelly (1991), and Margaret (nee Carroll) Kelly (1962). Henry met his cherished wife Zelda while proudly serving in the US Navy stationed in Christchurch, NZ, and for Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica. They married in Christchurch, New Zealand on September 5, 1959 and came back to reside in Brooklyn, NY, later moving to Lyndhurst, NJ. After settling in Lyndhurst, Henry was appointed to the Lyndhurst Fire Department and later appointed to the Lyndhurst Police Department on November 1, 1966, Detective in 1979, Sergeant in 1982 Sergeant of Detective Bureau in 1985. He proudly served his community until retiring a Detective Sergeant in 1993.. Upon his retirement, Henry and Zelda permanently moved to Saranac, NY in 1996. He was the cherished grandson of Joseph Benedict Carroll and Margaret Carroll . Henry graduated from St. Xavier's Catholic School, in Brooklyn, NY where he served as an altar boy for many years. He went on to attend St. Leonard's Academy. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1619, Saranac, and American Legion Post 139, Lyndhurst, NJ. Henry was a great man, a proud, honest, hardworking family man and a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, Cousin, Uncle and Godfather. He was a loving, unselfish and giving husband. His children will remember him as a husband and father who loved unconditionally, as well as an over doting grandfather. He will be respectfully remembered as a police officer who allowed his children to grow up and choose their friends and destinations without judgment or prejudice. His children's friends will remember him as Officer "The Sergeant" Kelly who they will always remember as a friend to them all. Over the years Henry enjoyed his daily trips to the coffee shops in Lyndhurst, NJ to pick up his morning paper, along the way meeting many people who became lifelong friends. Henry was a proud man, and will be missed horribly by his family, and friends. Visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY on Monday, July 6, 2015 from 3to 6 PM with a service immediately afterward .A farewell service is scheduled for Tuesday July7, 2015 from 10 to 11 AM at Brown Funeral Home with a burial at a later date. Donations can be made to the Saranac Fire Department EMS, PO Box 130, Saranac, NY 12981 , or the Hospice of the North Country. The family would like to thank the Saranac Fire Department/EMS, Dannemora Fire Department/EMS , Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Dr. Viqar Qudsi, his Nurse Connie, Gloria, and the rest of his staff, and Meadowbrook Nursing Home for all their efforts care and dedication. The family would also like to thank the many friends who provided their unconditional support and care. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. (518)-561-3980. Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com