John J. “Bud” Kelly Jr. was born to parents John J. Kelly and Gertrude Herderich in Greenwich CT, on October 12th 1917. Bud’s parents moved to 61 Old Post Road in Rye, New York later in Bud’s childhood, back when Rye was just a small town with a population of 9,865. His father was the manager of a grocery store, paying a rent of $45/month ($855 in today’s dollars) for the family home, and his parents were members of the Church of the Resurrection. Bud grew up with 3 siblings in the house for most of his life, as well as an uncle who moved in between the years 1930 and 1940. He was a graduate of Rye High School class 1936. In 1940 John was 22 years old, the year before he had earned $480 ($9,120 in today’s dollars) and worked 40 weeks of the year as a maintenance man for Playland Park.
Bud registered for the WWII draft on October 16th, 1940, then served from January 21st, 1941 until he was discharged in November of 1945. During his service on October 11th, 1942, he was granted leave, upon returning to Rye,
Bud married Mary Veronica Maloney on October 11, 1942, in Rye, New York. They had one child during their marriage.
Afterwards he would find
 himself in places such as Italy, France, and Germany. Bud served in the U. S.
14th Armored Division as Captain, Company Commander and supply officer in the divisions Combat Command Reserve CCR, attaining the rank of Captain and serving under General Patton. This unit participated in campaigns through the Vosges Mountains, Alsatian Plain, and Germany.
Awarded the Bronze Star for resupply of Infantry Battalions in the Maritime Alps utilizing pack mule trains; Oak Leaf Cluster added for meritorious achievement in the Battle of Hatten-Rittershoffen; French citations for acting as liaison with French troops during the Allemande campaign. His command is remembered for liberating the Moosburg Concentration Camp in Germany.
After his discharge Bud worked in the automobile business up to his retirement in 1990. He retired as the General Manager of Royal Motors in White Plains. Over his life he remained faithfully married to his wife up to 60 years until her death in 2002, as well as being a parishioner of the Resurrection Church and member of the Coveleigh club for fifty years. He was also a loyal volunteer and member of the Ethics Committee at United Hospital until it closed.
John J. “Bud” Kelly Jr. Passed away on Monday April 12, 2010 in Greenwich Hospital after a brief illness. At the time of his death he was survived by his daughter, Nancy Kelly Smith (Christopher), a sister, Elanor Lush, and a brother, Daniel Jordan Kelly both of Rye; three grandchildren: Lynn Driver of Wilton, CT, Wendy Swiggett of Berkeley, CA, and Timothy Smith of Brielle, NJ; six great-grandchildren: Madeline, Sophie, Evan, Emma, Grant and Luke, and numerous nieces and nephews.
John Melfi
RHS 2021
Sources: 1940 Census, WWII Draft Card, Obituary, Enlistment Record
John Jordan Bud Kelly Jr. Class of 1936 Rye High School. He lived at 61 Old Post Road. As holder of Draft Order No. 60, on December 4, 1940, at age 22, reported for physical and subsequent induction into the U. S. Army, Playlands and Rye's first draftee, serving from 1940 to 1945. He served in the U. S. 14th Armored Division as Captain, Company Commander and supply officer in the divisions Combat Command Reserve CCR . This unit participated in campaigns through the Vosges Mountains, Alsatian Plain, and Germany. Awarded the Bronze Star for resupply of Infantry Battalions in the Maritime Alps utilizing pack mule trains; Oak Leaf Cluster added for meritorious achievement in the Battle of Hatten-Rittershoffen; French citations for acting as liaison with French troops during the Allemande campaign. EUROPEAN THEATER. RECEIVED 1 FRENCH DECORATION, 2 AMERICAN DECORATIONS AND 2 BRONZE STARS. SERVED IN THE 14TH ARMORED DIVISION. ENTERED JANUARY 21, 1941. DISCHARGED NOVEMBER 1945. Rye High School Graduate, class of 1936
John Jordan Kelly Jr. of Rye, New York died Monday April 12, 2010 in Greenwich Hospital after a brief illness. He was 92. Mr. Kelly, known as Bud to all his friends, was born in Greenwich, CT on October 12, 1917 to John Jordan Kelly Sr. and Gertrude Herderich. He moved to Rye as a young boy and lived there for the rest of his life. He was a parishioner of Resurrection Church and member of the Coveleigh Club for fifty years. After graduation from Rye High School he worked at Playland before joining the army in 1940. He attained the rank of Captain in the US Army during World War II, and served under General Patton. He saw action in Italy, France and Germany. One of his proudest moments during the war was when his command liberated the Moosburg Concentration Camp in Germany. After the war he spent his career in the automobile business, retiring in 1990 as General Manager of Royal Motors in White Plains. He was a loyal volunteer and member of the Ethics Committee at United Hospital until it closed. He then served as a volunteer at The Osborn until earlier this year. He was married for 60 years to Mary V. Maloney, who predeceased him in 2002. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Kelly Smith, of Wilton, CT, a sister, Eleanor Lush and a brother, Daniel Jordan Kelly, both of Rye; three grandchildren: Lynn Driver of Wilton, CT, Wendy Swiggett of Berkeley, CA, and Timothy Smith of Brielle, NJ; six great-grandchildren: Madeline, Sophie, Evan, Emma, Grant and Luke, and numerous nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Friday, April 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection Church in Rye. There will be a reception following the Mass at the Coveleigh Club, 459 Stuyvesant Avenue, Rye, for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Franciscan Sisters of Atonement, 41 Old Highland Tpk., Garrison, NY 10524. GRAHAM FUNERAL HOME 1036 Boston Post Road Rye, NY 10580 914-967-0129 Grahamfuneralhomerye.com
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