Patrick Joseph Kelly

Patrick J. Kelly passed peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family and wonderful caregivers on Sunday, June 28, 2015 in Palm Springs, California.

Pat, as he is known to friends, is preceded in death by his beloved wife Margaret "Peggy" Kelly. He is survived by his children Mary (Tom) Hartigan, CA; Theresa Lindsey, GA; Sean (Lilia) Kelly, NV; Paul (Dana) Kelly, England; Anne (Kevin) Bergersen, AZ; and Margaret Kelly, NY. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Pat was cared for by a team of dedicated caregivers who were very special to him over these past ten years. They lovingly prepared his meals, drove him around town, tended to his beautiful home and gardens, and cared for him as if he was family. To them we owe a great amount of gratitude.

This extraordinary man was born on October 8, 1923 near the town of Ballaghaderreen in County Roscommon, Ireland, the son of an Irish farmer.

In his teenage years Pat was given the opportunity to move to England and work for an industrial manufacturing company, to help with the war effort. Shortly after, he suffered a severe accident on the job that broke several neck and back vertebrae, which could have disabled him for life. Fortunately he had an excellent doctor and was blessed with the "luck of the Irish" and returned to lead a very active life. Because of the severity of the accident, the British Government offered him a choice of a disability pension or extensive study in a field of his choice. He chose study, and after completing of a five-year program, equivalent to an American College Master Degree, he was qualified as a master machinist.

It was during the celebrations of VE Day in the streets of Ashford, Kent, England, 1945, that he met and fell in love with Peggy Martin. Pat & Peggy were married in 1948 and immigrated to the United States in 1951 with their eldest daughter, Mary. After arriving in the states they continued on to California, where Pat had family.

In 1955, Pat and a family friend, Ovie Jensen, pulled their resources together and opened a small machine shop Jensen-Kelly. In 1963, Jensen retired and Pat bought his interest in the business, making him the sole owner of the Jensen-Kelly Corporation, which specialized in aerospace hydraulics. Due to Pat's dedication, determination and exacting standards the business grew and prospered over the next 30 years, contributing greatly to the evolution of the aerospace industry in Southern California. Over the years, the Jensen-Kelly Corporation conducted business with Boeing and other major aerospace companies, as well as several government contracts. Several of the parts produced at Jensen-Kelly are on display today at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. If you remember flying on a 707, DC10 or 747… then it was the parts manufactured by Pat's firm that enabled those wheels to come down.

Pat was extremely proud of his business and the high quality of products produced. He was a man of integrity who garnered great respect and was renowned in his field.

Since coming to America, the family has always regarded Southern California as their home. Pat was a long time resident of Fullerton and Diamond Bar. One of his favorite escapes was to his home in Dana Point, California, where he could completely relax with family and friends and tend to the things he loved outside of the office entertaining, gardening, and enjoying the Pacific Ocean. Pat lived in Palm Springs for the past fifteen years.

Pat was a man of high integrity with a strong work ethic coupled with a deep love of family. A true gentleman, respected and loved by family, friends, employees and business associates alike. He will be most remembered for his sense of humor, his strong entrepreneurial sprit, love of old movies and music; and always for his love of the patchwork of greens of Ireland and the bright shining sun of Palm Springs.

Visitation will be on Monday, July 6, 2015 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a Rosary at 5:30pm, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary in Cathedral City. The Funeral Mass will take place at 9:00 am on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at Our Lady of Solitude Catholic Church in Palm Springs. Burial will immediately follow the Mass at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City with Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary in charge of the arrangements.