Peter William Kelly III
March 13, 1942 ~ February 3, 2023
Resided in:
Falmouth, Maine
Falmouth, Maine- Peter William Kelly III, 80, passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by family on February 3, 2023.
Born March 13, 1942, in Portland, Maine, he was the oldest child and only son of Peter W. II and Alice (Thurlow) Kelly.
Growing up in East Deering, Peter was introduced to lobstering by his grandfather Harold F. Seal of Pine Point, and he began fishing his own traps at the age of 13—commencing a lifetime of commercial fishing. He graduated from Deering High School in 1961 and was a member of the 1959 state football championship team. Shortly after, he met an Irish girl at a dance, and she became the love of his life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; his family was everything to him, and he was everything to his family.
Deeply committed to the commercial fishing industry, the Portland waterfront was his second home. Peter worked hard to ensure that Widgery Wharf, which dates back to 1776, remained a working fishermen’s wharf. He headed the Maine Fishermen’s Cooperative Association and helped the effort to create a 200-mile limit. A humble and giving man, he was there for anyone down on their luck and was involved in the Seamen’s Friend Society.
Dedicated to the church, Peter attended Mass faithfully and lived his life with purpose. His friends and family extended from Maine to Ireland. He could not go anywhere without seeing someone he knew, saying hello, or making a new friend. Peter enjoyed a front-row seat to his grandchildren’s lives—never missing a game or a chance to take them out to lunch.
Always at the center of his life was his family. Peter is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Mary (Bourke) Kelly; three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Karen Kelly, Thomas and Jessica Kelly, and Peter and Julie Kelly; grandchildren, Kayla and husband Casey Dall, Declan Kelly, Brina and husband Max Feigenbaum, Connor Kelly, William Kelly, Margaret Kelly, Macklin Kelly, Maeve Kelly, and Colin Kelly; great grandchildren, Nolan Dall and Shay Feigenbaum; sisters, Sharon Robbins, Mary Pinkham, and Patricia Music; nieces and nephews.
Peter was predeceased by his parents and sister Nancy Kelly.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ciampi, the staff at Maine Medical Center, Hospice of Southern Maine, and Kathy and Ginny for all of their support and care.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Congress Street Portland. Reception to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. To view Pete’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association ( www.heart.org) or St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).
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Staying true to his word. Spreading humanity
his love for his family
he practiced what he preached
Peter had a strong LOVE for his bride, Mary, family and faith.
His stories of when he was a boy, his love for Mary and his family.
always open and willing to share his trials and tribulations
Stay true to oneself. LOVE unconditionally. Family is everything
Making anyone he encountered feel loved
Deepest condolences to the family of Peter, your beloved. My heart is extremely heavy reading about a life well lived by a special man. He takes with him a small piece of my heart. Mary, I can’t even begin to imagine your broken heart. I will think of both of you every harvest season while I make my green tomato piccalilli, pickles, jalapeño peppers, jams, salsa, and cabbage soup. I will never look at a freshly picked tomato again without thinking of Peter. God speed my friend! You are already missed.
How would I describe Peter?
Ardent, charismatic, chivalrous, gallant, handsome, devoted, dapper, jovial, fervent for his family and faith, generous, humble, passionate, and kind hearted.
May your loving memories bring peace to your heart.
Mary and family, it was so sad to hear of Peter’s passing. We were friends since Junior High School.
Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Bob and Linda Holmes
To our Aunt Mary, Cousins John, Tom, Peter and all the extended family, our sincere condolences on the passing of a great man Peter Kelly.. Thinking of you all today.
Love
Breda, Allan, Jack, Aoibhinn and Roisin (Castlebar, Co.Mayo)
I can always remember Peter with his huge smile and friendly greeting. A truly special person and wonderful family man. RIP Peter
Our family owned and lived on House Island. Whether on the waterfront or in the Bay, we always said hello at the least. He always had that great smile. We will be praying for comfort for all of his family.
Rest in Peace Peter Margaret And Family
Mary & Family ,
Heartbroken for you. Sending love and strength to you all. Peter leaves a beautiful family and a legacy of love. I have such fond memories of Peter from childhood through to present. His countless visits to Ireland. Stocking piling the cruchies and Cadbury’s chocolates, introducing us to L.L Bean Store and all the fun times. But most of all his smile, contagious laugh and non stop ability to talk. One of life’s finest gentlemen. You will be dearly missed. May you Rest in Peace. Love Carmel B
I have fond memories of the whole Kelly family having grown up in their neighborhood. I remember picking (and eating) crabmeat at their kitchen table. An example of Peter’s kindness and generosity is him taking my family on his lobster boat so we could distribute our mother’s ashes in Casco Bay. He wouldn’t accept any money for gas and said it was he privilege to escort my mother to her final resting place. He then took us to Fort Gorges which I had never been in even though I saw it every day from my house. We then went around Cape Elizabeth and Bug light. I will always remember that day and his kindness. Rest In Peace Peter.
Carol Foley Robinson
My sincere sympathy for Peter Kelly’s family, I have many great memories of times spent with the Kelly family growing up. I always remember Peter Kelly as a very kind man with a jolly laugh and always smiling. Sorry for your loss.
Catherine Saltz (Lee)
Like so many others we will always remember Peter’s smile, his gentle voice, Our thoughts and prayers are with you Mary and your family, Charlie will always feel honored and blessed to have been a friend, Love Charlie and Sharon
So sorry to learn of Peter’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss. He was a great guy who I came to know through the neighborhood of East Deering and the waterfront.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mary, John, Tom, Peter and all the extended family, our sincere condolences on the passing of Peter.
Damien, Jessica and Ellie Bourke (Co. Louth, Ireland)
We are indeed so very sorry to learn of Peter’s passing.
Growing up in East Deering, Peter and Dan were childhood friends and enjoyed that friendship throughout their adult life.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are there in Maine with each of you. God bless.
Rest In Peace Peter. 🙏❤️❤️✝️🍀
Our racketball games in Falmouth.
I can fortunately include myself as being gifted like so many others of enjoying Pete’s treasured friendship.
He was a man amongst men and never to be forgotten.
Rest in peace.
A life well lived.
Our condolences to The Kelly Family. Peter was kind, friendly and always a pleasure to be around. He will be missed.🙏🏻
Donna & John Tibbetts
To the entire Kelly Family I am so sorry for your loss.
I knew Pete back in the day from Cape Shore Variety and the waterfront.He was always fun to chat with, very welcoming and friendly. We shared the same birthday🍀
Such a nice man. He will be missed.
Peter was a good friend and a wonderful man our condolences to Mary and their extended family
Peter was a great golf companion for several years as a member of our senior team. His humor and positive personality added to our group enjoyment. My condolences to Mary and his family.
A few years back on Christmas Eve Day I was at Tony’s Donuts having a coffee with the gang and Peter asked me if I was going to be home celebrating that evening and I said I would be. Around 5:30 pm that evening here comes Peter up my walkway with a handful of lobster meat. He always had a way of making people feel special. A great man he was!
The one thing that I will always remember about Uncle Peter was his laugh. His laugh was robust, heartfelt, and full of virtue. In many ways it represented the man he was- upstanding, caring, and full of fortitude. In his presence family and friends always knew they were loved and appreciated. It is comforting to know that many of Uncle Peter’s characteristics have been passed down to his sons. When I see John, Tom, and Pete interact with their families or hear them laugh, I instantly think of Uncle Peter. Such amazing qualities to transcend through generations, a true gift.
When I think of Uncle Peter I will always have a smile in my heart because that is what he brought to the world- happiness, faith, and love.
Rest in Peace Uncle Peter. Love, Jean
Sincere sympathy to Mary and the Kelly family on Peters passing. He was a great guy and will be sadly missed by the Sammon family. May he rest in peace.
Our condolences to Aunt Mary, John, Tom, Peter and all the Kelly family and friends. Peter and Mary have been coming to the Bourke family homestead for over 50 years and left us all with many fond memories. Peter always had a smile and could usually be heard talking and laughing before you entered the room.
May he rest in peace.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.
Deepest sympathy to Mary and the Kelly family on Peter’s passing. May he Rest In Peace.
I have many wonderful memories of Petie and the whole Kelly Family. My Dad he were 1st cousins and the families had great times together over the years. He was a truly wonderful man and placed family above everything. My sympathy to his wonderful sister, his children and Mary. I know he will be missed very much.
Uncle Peter was great. He was so genuinely kind, fun, thoughtful, and had so much faith.
We all share so many wonderful and happy family memories.
May your family and friends, please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Mary and all the Kelly family. We wish we could be with you at this difficult time to offer you a hug and a shoulder.
Peter was the most generous warm and happy man I have ever known. He will be greatly missed but remember in our prayers 🙏.
Kevin,Sinead and all the Bourke family. Ireland 🇮🇪.
Petie was a kind, compassionate, fun-loving, hard-working person with a beautiful personality and a smile for everyone. He loved his family and was very proud of all of them. He was a man of great faith and would often give us prayer cards for sentimental and happy occasions. I was always proud of all his accomplishments because he would give 110% to any task he faced. He loved people and was a very loyal friend to all. I couldn’t ask for a better brother, and I feel blessed that he was mine. I will love you forever; rest in peace. Mary ❤️
Uncle Peter was a gift; he filled a room with his good nature and loving personality. When he laughed, we all laughed; he made everyone feel special. His passion and dedication to the fishing industry, and the people who worked and loved the waterfront, made him a legacy. You will be in our hearts and minds forever. With love, Nancy
Mary & Family, so very sorry for your loss. With sympathy & prayers. Norma Gaudet Conlogue & Everett Conlogue
My love and sympathy to his family and all who knew Uncle Peter. There are no words that can lessen the grief from his loss. I take comfort knowing that he influenced our lives so profoundly that I will always be able to see little pieces of him in his family and friends. The world and our lives are so much better because he was here.
I remember one day we were working on the wharf and Mary came down to see Peter. I do not know what they were talking about as they leaned side by side against the truck talking with each other. they appeared more like two teenage sweethearts getting to know each other rather than people who had been married for almost 40 years (at that time.) It was endearing to see.
He sang a lot. I think he sang to himself mostly, but I enjoyed it. He would sing when he was fishing, especially when things were going smoothly. He even sang when things were going sour. He sang Irish songs, folks songs, and even commercial ditties. Some times he changed the words to reflect his mood. Regardless of whether things were going well or poorly, it was a good day when he sang.
A gentle man that brought laughter to many people on the waterfront. He was well respected and a man of his word. Condolences to his family. He will be missed by many.
My Deepest Sympathies to the extended Kelly family on the passing of Peter.
I met Peter back late 2001 when I was sent from Killybegs Ireland to Portland Maine to manage the Gundry’s US regional office.
Peter used to pop in from time to time and we discussed many things, but main topic was on the fishing industry as Peter was always eager to understand how the fishing business was in Ireland.
Peter’s visit to the workshop would leave me with a much better outlook on things.
Rest In Peace Peter, may you have Fair Winds and Following Seas
Deepest sympathy to Peter’s wife and family from the morning Rosary group at Saint Pius X Church. Peter prayed with us following the weekday morning Mass for many years. He was a person of deep faith, loved by all of us.
A lifelong friiend. Ted borduas’ with. Bobby Holmes
To Mary, family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Deepest sympathy on the sad passing of Peter. He was a true gentleman, salt of the earth and he will be sadly missed by all here in Ireland. RIP
My condolences to Mary and the Kelly family. Peter was a good friend from being boys together in East Deering through adulthood. I will always remember his smile and laugh. May the love of family comfort you in this time of grief.
Tom Foley
Peter was such a nice man. He always made a point of saying Hi. My condolences to his family.