Kelly, Jim
May 27, 2010The death, which occurred on Sunday 18 April, of Mr. James (Jim) Kelly, occasioned great sadness, not just in his native town of Templemore but much wider afield where he was a well known and highly respected member of the legal profession.
In the days since his death, at the age of 76, glowing tributes have been paid in his memory and he has been remembered as one of nature's true gentlemen, a gracious and gentle soul with a hugely charismatic personality.
One of a family of four of the late Mr. Joseph and Mrs Kathleen Kelly, who were farmers and traders residing at Woodville House, Templemore, Mr. Kelly was the first member of his family to enter the legal profession. His brothers, Eugene and Neil, continue to reside in Templemore and his sister, Angela Butler, lives in Mullingar.
Me. Kelly established his law firm at Patrick Street in 1956 and he developed a thriving business, dispensing wise and fatherly counsel to his very extensive clientele. His vast knowledge of the law, his gentle personality and commitment to clients in every walk of life endeared him to all.
He was Coroner for the Tipperary East Mid Division up to his retirement six years ago and in this role he again displayed a deep concern for those whose lives had been touched by tragedy. His deep empathy, gentle demeanour and huge consideration was always to the fore and was deeply appreciated by those facing difficulties.
His legacy in the practice is continued today by his son Joe who is Coroner for North Tipperary.
The late Mr. Kelly was a devoted husband to Patsy, a member of the McKenna family of Thurlas, for the past forty eight years and was a much loved and loving father to Joe, David, Dermot, Jennifer and Sarah. He was also an adored and adoring grandfather to his nine grandchildren. He was an inspiring role model to both his children and grandchildren and will forever be remembered with great love and respect.
He was an avid golfer and, as a member of Thurlas Golf Club for close on sixty years contributed enormously to the club. As a teenager he won the Captain's Prize and was for long one of the leading low handicappers, playing Senior Cup and Barton Shield. In 1966 he was a member of the Junior Cup team which beat Douglas in the Munster final at Ballybunion. In later times Thurlas teams, at every level, had no better supporter at their matches, Mr. Kelly's presence being assured. On the official and administrative side he was again a leading personality. He served as Captain in 1968 and President in 1982, positions regarded as well merited and well fulfilled recognition of his ability and his regard for the club. He played and encouraging role in the Club's recent development. His wife Patsy was Lady Captain in 1998, and his son Joe continues the family tradition and is the Club's current Vice President.
In a tribute to him, Mr. John O'Grady, Club PRO, stated, "it is, though as an affable personality we will remember him with affection - excellent social company and full of good humour".
Glowing Tributes were paid to him at Nenagh Circuit Court recently. They were led by Judge Tom Teehan who stated that he had known the late Mr. Kelly for more than 30 years. "I worked for him and against him and for all that time I never heard him say a single, bad or derogatory word about a judge, a solicitor or member of the bar", he said.
Judge Teehan said he was proud to have known Mr. Kelly, to have worked with him and was proud to have been his friend. "Templemore, Tipperary and his profession are very much the poorer for his passing", he said.
Mr. Frank Quirke, on behalf of the Bar, described Mr. Kelly as a true gentleman who was a successful and professional Solicitor.
Mr. Patrick F. Treacy, former State Solicitor, spoke on behalf of the Tipperary legal profession. He stated that he wished to be associated with Judge Teehan's kind and richly deserved comments in relation to the late Mr. Kelly.
"At times such as this one considers the qualities which identify a colleague as occupying a special place in the respect and affection of his fellow practitioners. Such a person will be entirely honourable, modest, caring, diligent and reliable in all his dealings. Our friend whose passing we mark today had these qualities in abundance", he said.
Mr. Treacy said away from the responsibilities of office as Solicitor or Coroner, Mr. Kelly had been excellent company and, as many of them knew, had been at his most relaxed self on the Golf Course or in the Clubhouse in the company of his friends.
"At this sad time for the Kelly family it is good to remember the marvellously happy life he had with his wife and their children and to know that the practice he established and the standards which he nurtured are now in the safe hands of his son Joe. May I conclude by joining with Your Lordship in expressing sympathy to Patsy and to Jim's children on their sad loss", he said.
Tributes were also paid by Mr Pat McDermott, Solicitor and Judge Mary Martin at Templemore Court. Mr. McDermott described him as a mentor, a true gentleman, good humoured and a true professional.
Judge Martin stated that the late Mr. Kelly had been gracious, a gentle soul and a charismatic person. Describing him as a wonderful person, she asked for a round of applause in his memory.
Mr. Kelly died on Sunday April 18th following a short illness.
His remains were removed to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Templemore on Wednesday 21st April and burial took place in Templemore Cemetery following Requiem Mass on Thursday morning.
The huge attendance on both days, comprising of members of the judiciary, the bar, his legal colleagues, golfing friends and those whose lives he had touched, bore testimony to the very high esteem in which he was held and the great loss which is felt at his passing.
That loss, though, will be most especially felt by his loving family and we extend our sympathy to his wife, Patsy, sons, Joe, David and Dermot, daughters, Jennifer and Sarah, his beloved grandchildren, brothers Eugene and Neil, Sister, Angela, his extended family and wide circle of friends.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Courtesy of the Tipperary Star
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