Peter Kelly Portland Obituary, Maine Fishermen’s Cooperative Association Member Has Died

Peter Kelly Obituary, Death – Peter William Kelly III, who was 80 years old, died quietly at home on February 3, 2023, with family at his side. He was born on March 13, 1942, in Portland, Maine, the oldest child and only son of Peter W. II and Alice (Thurlow) Kelly. Peter first went lobstering with his grandpa Harold F. Seal of Pine Point when he was a small lad growing up in East Deering.

He began fishing his own traps at the age of 13 and began a lifetime career in commercial fishing. He graduated from Deering High School in 1961 and was a member of the 1959 state-champion football team. He briefly dated an Irish woman he had met at a dance before they started dating. He loved his family dearly and was a loyal husband, father, grandparent, and great-grandfather. He considered Portland’s waterfront to be his second home and was passionate about the commercial fishing business.

Peter worked very hard to ensure that Widgery Wharf, constructed in 1776, remained a useful fishing wharf. As the head of the Maine Fishermen’s Cooperative Association, he oversaw the adoption of the 200-mile restriction. He assisted everyone in need and joined the Seamen’s Friend Society. He was a kind and giving person.

Peter was devoted to the church and attended Mass on a daily basis. From Ireland to Maine, his friends and family were dispersed. He couldn’t go somewhere without seeing someone he knew, welcoming them, or making a new acquaintance. Peter had a front-row view of his granddaughters’ life since he never missed a game or a chance to take them out to lunch.

His priority in life has always been his family. Connor Kelly, William Kelly, Margaret Kelly, Macklin Kelly, Maeve Kelly, and Colin Kelly are among the kids of John and Karen Kelly, Thomas and Jessica Kelly, and Peter and Julie Kelly. Mary (Bourke) Kelly, his wife of more than 60 years, and his three sons and daughters-in-law all survive Peter. Their great-grandchildren are Nolan Dall and Shay Feigenbaum.

Both of Peter Kelly’s parents and sister Nancy Kelly died before he did. The Dr. Ciampi family thanks Kathy, Ginny, Dr. Ciampi, the staff at Maine Medical Center, Hospice of Southern Maine, and all of the others who helped and supported them. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Congress Street in Portland, Oregon will have a funeral Mass on February 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. A reception will be held. The arrangements will be handled by Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, which has its main office at 172 State Street in Portland, Maine.