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Xavier Stalwart John Kelly Dies

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Xavier Stalwart John Kelly Dies

This from Xavier HS: Xavier has lost one of its best.  Coach John Kelly, loving husband of Janine, devoted father of Seamus '09 and Sean '10, and a true Man for Others, passed away early today after a long and fierce battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Here are the details on Coach Kelly's final arrangements:

VISITATION

Saturday, June 2nd, 7:00-9:00 pm
Sunday, June 3rd, 2:00-5:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm
Denis O'Connor Funeral Home
9105 Beach Channel Drive
Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

MASS

Monday, June 4th, 11:00 am
St. Thomas More Church
204-25 Rockaway Point Blvd 
Rockaway Point, NY 11697
718-634-6357

John Kelly guided hundreds of young men during his decade as a dedicated and respected (and beloved) football and rugby coach at 16th Street, and is one of only a handful of men to be awarded an honorary diploma in Xavier High School's 171-year history.

When John was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease several years ago, it came as devastating news, but to the surprise of absolutely no one who knows him, John— Coach Kelly— came up off the deck fighting.

John and his family joined forces with ALS One, an alliance of leading organizations in ALS research and care dedicated to fighting this dread disease on all fronts. ALS One is committed to finding a treatment or cure for ALS by 2020, while also improving care NOW for those currently battling this dread disease.

The Kellys and ALS One have already staged several highly successful fundraisers, with the next big event scheduled for Wednesday evening, June 13th, at The Pig 'n' Whistle on 36th Street (just steps from Penn Station).

In lieu of flowers, the Kelly family requests that you donate to ALS ONE. And if you can join us at The Pig on June 13th when we celebrate John's life while raising the money we need to finish this fight, that would be great.

To donate to ALS One, or to learn more about Seamus and Sean Kelly's 2nd Annual Rugby Rally to Help End ALS, visit:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E253535&id=111