Peter T. Kelly

As sad as it is to say goodbye, it was time to go. With bittersweet hearts and comforting memories, we announce the passing of Peter T. Kelly, 73, of Spring Lake Heights, on November 3, 2026. Surrounded by his loving family at Artis Senior Living in Eatontown, NJ, to say their final goodbyes, Peter is finally at peace following a three-month battle with cancer and five-year journey with dementia.

Peter was the beloved husband of Nancy (née McInerney), with whom he celebrated 44 years of marriage this past October. He was a devoted father to his son, Brennan Kelly of Hoboken; daughter Bridget Kelly and her husband Mark Lee of Shrewsbury; and daughter Tara Kelly of Spring Lake Heights. He was also a proud and loving Papa Pete to Grace and Ava Lee.

Peter was the second of eight children. He is survived by his brother Richard Kelly and his wife, Dotti, of Howell; sister Mary Mackay and her late husband, Rich, of Neptune City; brother Bobby Kelly and his wife, Karen, of Florida; sister Beth Kelly of Tinton Falls; brother John Kelly and his wife, Cindy, of Utah; and brother Anthony Kelly and his wife, Jackie, of Neptune City. He is predeceased by his brother William Kelly.

He was also the brother-in-law to Ellen Barnett of Florida; Jack McInerney of California; Cathy Guthrie and her husband, George, of Washington; the late Mary Jo Gazzola and her husband, Paul, of Howell, who passed away on October 18, 2026; Tom McInerney and his wife, Jill, of Spring Lake Heights; Joan Bassi and her husband, John, of Shark River Hills; Peter McInerney of Wall; Bart McInerney of Spring Lake Heights; Jim McInerney of Spring Lake Heights; and Tim McInerney and his wife, Jodi, of Wall. Peter also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Born in Jersey City to the late Eugene and Patricia (née Flammer) Kelly, Peter attended Sacred Heart Grammar School. His family moved to Belmar the summer before he started ninth grade at Manasquan High School. Upon graduation, he joined the Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 12 in New York City.

For 44 years, Peter was employed by the union, had a very successful career and won several Safety Awards. In 1971, Peter met Tommy Horvath, who would become both his mentor and one of his closest friends. Tommy taught Peter the mechanical skills of the trade, while also helping him navigate the streets of all five New York City boroughs. But their friendship extended far beyond work. Tommy also introduced Peter to some of life's more enjoyable pursuits, including their annual rental at Hunter Mountain (where no one ever actually skied), learning how to bet the daily double at Freehold Raceway Track, attending New York Rangers hockey games, and even meeting the players through Tommy's work in the Rangers locker room. Tommy later established the Joseph Horvath Memorial Scholarship and Golf Tournament in memory of his brother. Peter proudly served on the organizational committee for 30 years and was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 2022. Although the scholarship program recently concluded, its lasting impact will live on through the hundreds of students who benefited from this meaningful charitable endeavor over the years.

In 1974, the Belmar Elks Lodge No. 1997 recruited younger members to play softball, and Peter was invited to join the team. After a back injury ended his playing days, he became manager, leading the team to three state championships in a five-year span during the mid-1980s. He was inducted into the Belmar Elks Softball Hall of Fame in 1985 and named Elk of the Year in 1990. Peter's involvement in the Elks extended well beyond softball. In 1977, he met John Sentner, who became another of his closest friends, and together they took on leadership roles within the organization. Peter served as Exalted Ruler (1982), Southeast District Deputy (1994), Grand Secretary to State President John Sentner (1998) and Grand Trustee (1999). He also served as a Ritual Coach, District Ritual Word Accuracy Judge and Floor Judge for approximately ten years. In 2007, Peter helped John in establishing the NJ Elks Polar Bear Plunge (John Sentner Memorial Plunge), one of New Jersey's largest fundraisers for Camp Moore. When the Belmar Lodge closed in 2012, Peter demitted his membership to the Manasquan Lodge No. 2534. Throughout his years with the Elks, Peter and his family enjoyed lasting friendships, annual trips to the Wildwood conventions, national conventions across the country, and countless community events with their Elks family.

Peter was an avid runner, training with Nancy from the mid-1970s through his completion of the 1984 Jersey Shore Marathon, which he finished in 3:50. After years of running and a few injuries, he transitioned to walking, maintaining a daily average of five to eight miles well into retirement in 2015. He became a familiar figure throughout the surrounding communities. Peter was also a longtime participant in the Spring Lake 5, running the race for many years alongside his family through Team Freedom, the family’s foundation supporting veterans for 28 years.

As their children grew, Peter was a constant presence at their sporting events. He followed Brennan's ice hockey journey from kindergarten through Manasquan High School and the Old Bridge Wings travel team, along with his soccer games and Little League, where Peter also coached. He was equally devoted to his daughters, Bridget and Tara, and attended countless recreation and grammar school soccer, basketball, and tennis games, as well as St. Rose High School field hockey games and track meets.

Our family would like to thank the staff at Artis for making Peter’s year there comfortable and safe. Special thanks to: Med-tech Lisa’s updates, Nurse Melissa’s help, Care Partners Arcene, Bertha and Yvette’s attention and commitment, Activities Coordinator Kelly’s singing and dancing, and Grace Healthcare Hospice Services for Nurse Dawn’s reassuring communication and Ursula and Fritz’s extra support and concern. Our sincere appreciation to Caroline Styslinger Kosowsky, ANP, for her knowledge and time throughout Peter’s stay. Finally, to his friends, Carrie and Frank, thank you for the daily walks.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, November 19, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at O’Brien’s Funeral Home in Wall. The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, November 20, at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Catharine Church in Spring Lake. 

For condolences, please visit www.JerseyShoreCremation.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jersey Shore Dream Center, PO Box 94, Belmar, NJ 07719. Please write on the Memo line: Baby Pantry/P. Kelly.

Arrangements are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com