Harry F Kelly Jr

Harry F. Kelly, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 13, at the Stein Hospice in Sandusky, Ohio, after a brief illness, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Kelly was the son of former Governor of Michigan & Michigan State Supreme Court Justice, Harry F. Kelly, and Anne (O'Brien) Kelly.

He attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1953 and, while there, was a linebacker on the ND football team, coached by Frank Leahy.  From 1953-1955 he served in the Army as an officer in the Korean war.  Harry began his career with General Motors after college with the Fisher Body Previews of Progress, followed by becoming the face of Public Relations for AC Electronics in Milwaukee during the period of the Apollo launches in Florida. He went on to become Director of Public Relations for the New Departure Hyatt Division in Sandusky, proceeded by heading up Corporate International Public Relations for the Asia-Pacific Regions in New York City, whose offices were later moved to Detroit.  He ended his tenure with GM in the Los Angeles West Coast office as Regional PR Director.  Post retirement he began his own public relations company in L.A., where he initiated and ran the Chevrolet Braille Relays and Palm Spring Vintage Grand Prix events.

An avid boater and sailor, Harry motored the Great Lakes and Canadian waters, racing in the Port Huron to Mackinac race multiple times before moving to the West Coast where he sailed his Islander Freeport 41' on the Pacific Ocean until his move to Huron, Ohio

He was preceded in death by his parents, twin brother, Brian Kelly, an actor with the starring role in "Flipper" series and movie roles, Joanne (Lou) Hagopian, Larry and Roger Kelly.

Survivors are his sister, Mary (Tom) James; his loving children; Colleen-NYC, Harry III (Lisa)-Houston, and Scott-Bluffton, SC; their children: Reid, Megan, Jack, Kendall & Julia. He was the beloved "Faux Pa" to the family of his partner of 47 years, Harriett Lynch Foos, Huron, and her children: Jamie Delaney-CT, Jacquie Batchelder (Jim) -Vermilion, Julie Hedrick (Craig) -Calif, & Tom Foos (Christine) -Columbus; their children: Hallie, Luke, & Ryan; Paul, Will, Jack & Ross; Sam & Jake; Alex & James, and great-grandchildren: Evie, Cole, Mac & Judd.

Harry will long be remembered as a man of great integrity, with a keen sense of humor, and a knowledgeable historian -- qualities that have made him unforgettable and irreplaceable to his families and good friends.

Memorials/donations in his honor may be made to Stein Hospice Services, Inc., 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870, and Concern Worldwide US, 355 Lexington Ave, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017 (concernusa.org) A private families' & close friends' celebration of his life will take place at the Kelly Family Cabin on Lake Horicon, Michigan, in early summer.

Foster Funeral Home & Crematory, Huron, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com. 

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