RIP PETER JAMES KELLY: 03 MARCH 2017

Farewell Pete Kelly (15 January 1949—24 February 2017)

Storm clouds, thunder and lightning threatened, but just as Peter ‘Pete’ James Kelly was being lowered to his final resting place in the Molong Cemetery, the sun suddenly broke through and shone brightly.

It was quite appropriate for one of Molong’s favourite larrikins, a man described by one as the ‘happiest man in town’, and a friend to everyone he met.

For me, I’d only known Pete for two-and-a-bit years I’ve lived in Molong but he’d quickly become a good friend, a fine drinking companion and a valued verbal sparring partner.

Most of his direct family were are the cemetery: his siblings Ron Kelly, Catherine Miller, Margaret Egan and Kevin Kelly; his children Lynette Kelly, Michael Kelly and Naomi Dekaste; and his grandchildren Monique and Natalie Voss, Tristan and Austin Dekaste and Georgina Kelly. My sincere apologies to anyone I’ve missed

Only his late brother Colin Kelly, and two of his granddaughters Erica and Lucinda Kelly weren’t there.

The graveside service was conducted by celebrant Jean Catanzaritia, eulogies given by his brother Ron Kelly and lifelong friend Adrian Pride, and a reading by his daughter Lynette Kelly.

The were joined in celebrating Pete’s life and mourning his passing by a couple of hundred extended family and friends.

Travel gently Pete, you were a good one and I’ll always miss those chats at the bar of Molong’s Freemasons Hotel, where most gathered afterwards for a few reflective drinks.