KELLY

Capt. Edward James Kelly (CD, RCN ret’d) died at his home, surrounded by his family, in Lunenburg, NS on October 15, 2025.

Born in Toronto, Ontario on February 7, 1940, Ted was the son of Edward Archibald Kelly and Florence Kelly (née King).

Lately, Ted described his life as having been lived in quarters. The first ‘quarter’ was spent in Toronto, at school and at play, learning to work hard and adapt, stressing with pride that he always had a ‘job’ from the age of eight. He attended De La Salle “Oaklands” and Earl Haig Collegiate.

His second ‘quarter’ was spent in the Royal Canadian Navy achieving the rank of Captain. He entered via the officer training program, HMCS Venture, in Esquimalt, BC. He had two commands, HMCS Assiniboine and HMCS Iroquois, alongside many adventures and challenges associated with 27 years served ashore and at sea. Ted often said that being in the Navy was not an occupation, but a true service to Canada, one he undertook with pride and commitment.

After leaving the Navy, his third ‘quarter’ commenced, a time shaped by varied and ambitious goals that took him from coast to coast and overseas. He was Director of Operations for the Canadian Pavilion at Expo 86 in Vancouver, followed by Director of the Canadian Coast Guard College in Cape Breton, Town Manager of Lunenburg, Deputy Registrar General of Ontario, and consultant to the Prime Minister of Malta.

The final ‘quarter’ of Ted’s life was spent in Lunenburg, where his lifelong curiosity and drive to take on new challenges never waned. He renovated two homes, travelled extensively, curled with the ‘Masters’, co-owned harness-racing horses, and was ever engaged with local matters shaping the Town of Lunenburg. He was also a financial consultant with Acadian Securities and led an initiative to establish a naval heritage centre on the Halifax waterfront to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic. In quieter moments, he turned his attention to the garden and tried to grow tomatoes.

But Ted was so much more than these pursuits. He was ready to laugh, keen to instruct, and eager to debate. He felt most house maintenance jobs could be done in twenty minutes, in spite of all historical evidence. He had a determination and resolve that was deeply impressed on all who looked to him as an example. He was confident, compassionate, and curious. He prized family and treasured friends. He led by instinct and led by habit. He had a sense of right and wrong that was firm, but flexible, as he was exposed to new information, new understandings, and new perspectives. Most importantly, he loved - and was loved by - us all.

Ted is survived by his wife, Sue (Clark), sons Patrick (Jill Moore, Duncan, & Nathan), Evan (Catherine Woodcock, Noam, & Willem), and daughter Erin (Steve MacDonald, Chloe, Eliza, & Molly) as well as his brother-in-law, Rodney Clark. He has nieces and nephews of whom he was very fond and cousins in the UK and Luxembourg. Ted was pre-deceased by his parents and his sister Monica Johnson.

A service was held at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church (121 York St, Lunenburg) at 11h00 on Saturday, Oct. 25th.  A reception followed at the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home (11213 Hwy #3, Lunenburg).

In lieu of flowers, Ted asked that you donate to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences please visit www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca