Daniel T. Kelly
Retired Chief of Planning
US Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District
After 89 years of selfless service to God, country, family and friends, Daniel T. Kelly was called home to God on October 14, 2019.
Daniel Kelly was born on May 16, 1930, in Pulaski, NY. to Daniel T. Kelly Sr and Ida Tyndall. He attended a one-room country school for the first four grades, graduating from Pulaski Academy and Central School in 1947. In his youth he was active in the Sea Scouts.
He received a degree in civil engineering from Clarkson University in 1951. Following graduation, he was employed briefly as a field engineer with F.H. McGraw and Co., of Hartford, CT, and worked on the construction of the atomic energy center in Paducah, KY, under the auspices of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
With a top-secret security clearance, he subsequently served with the U.S. Army Security Agency during the Korean War and was involved with classified projects in the communications field and post engineering projects. He was a recipient of the Korean Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Following active duty in the military, he was employed as a structural design engineer with Timber Structures Inc., Eastern Division, in Ramsey, NJ, where he designed the glued and laminated timber components for various projects located throughout the eastern United States.
In May 1955, Mr. Kelly relocated to Western New York where he was employed by the Buffalo District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He was involved in the water resources studies and projects in the District which includes the Great Lakes drainage areas of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. His experience included work on the design and construction of the U.S. portion of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
During 1965-66 he attended the Corps mid-career 11-month Planning Associates Program in Washington, DC and also completed post-graduate courses in water resources and structures at the University of Buffalo and University of Illinois.
In 1967 he met the love of his life, Geraldine Ferraro, of Snyder, New York, whom he married on July 13, 1968. For the next 51 years they shared life’s journey together, building a family of two children and six grandchildren, all of whom gathered together last year to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Those who knew Mr. Kelly knew that he was an avid reader and walker who never turned down the opportunity to play a good round of golf. His quick wit, love of a good joke, and his passion for anything having to do with numbers and mathematics was known and appreciated by all. A man of unshakable faith, he was a trusted member of the Lady of Peace parish, where he volunteered for 30 years.
After a long 38-year career as a supervisor in Federal Service, Mr. Kelly retired in November 1990 and began a new chapter of life as a consultant and realtor.
Mr. Kelly was a licensed professional engineer in New York State and a licensed realtor. He was a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, in addition to being a member The Society of American Military Engineers, the Pulaski Historical Society, The Clarence posts of the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Geraldine F.; a son, Kevin M.; a daughter, Caroline K. Cercone; and six grandchildren, all of Clarence NY. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Anna K. Williamson, two nieces and three nephews.
Friends received Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 3-7pm at Shepard Bros. Funeral Home, LLC; 10690 Main Street, Clarence, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 10am from Our Lady of Peace Church, 10950 Main Street, Clarence, New York.