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Kenneth James Kelly

Jun 15, 2016

Kenneth James Kelly, age 76, of North Fort Myers and Easton, CT., passed away at home on 06/12/16. He was born May 19, 1940 in Yonkers, N.Y., son of Frank A. and Mary A. Kelly. He grew in in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and graduated from Regis High School in Manhattan.

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1962 and was commissioned in the Marine Corps. Designated a Naval Aviator in 1963, he flew for the Marine Corps, active and reserve, for 22 years.

After active military service he joined Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. He retired as a senior vice-president after 34 years of service, in charge of program management, international business, commercial business and world-wide customer service. He led the team that won the Collier Trophy in 2002 for the design and development of the S-92 helicopter. During this time he earned an MS in Electrical Engineering, an MBA and completed the course work for a doctorate in Systems Science.

In the Marine Corps Reserve, he held four command positions in 30 years, retiring as a Colonel, the senior serving Reservist at Headquarters Marine Corps.

He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Lee County Electrical Cooperative; Senior life member of the Institue of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; charter member of sigma beta delta-the business honor society; technical Fellow of the American Helicopter Society; Officer/Board member of the Royal Palm Yacht Club; member of MENSA and many other professional, civic, aviation and social organizations.

He loved life, his family, friends and his Marines. He approached life with a cheerful, glass is half full, pragmatic sense of humor. He enjoyed reading, book collecting, boating, travel, investing and summers in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate N.Y.

He is survived by his wife Julie, son Steve (Shirley), daughter Diana and grandchildren, Michael (Felicia), Kathryne and Christopher.