Jerome Vincent Kelly

Jerry Kelly experiences ranged from running a toy store turned record store, being the first RCA dealership in Michigan, serving in World War II as an plainclothes agent for the Navy on behalf of the Manhattan Project's proximity fuse, and negotiating with Walt Disney and the creation of the PGA resort and the community of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The following bio was written about Jerry in February 1998 (thus the present tense). Click here to see actual notes from Kevin and Jim's conversations with Jerry.

Baptised October 19, 1911 at St. Columba Church, Ottawa. Sponsors: Lawrence Morrissey and Margaret Maher.

Jerry's career is long and illustrious. Beginning with his first meeting his longtime wife Edna across the street on Chicago Blvd. in Detroit when she shoved a stick in his spokes. After speaking with her father, Mr. William Dillon, owner of the largest company in Detroit, Scotten Dillon Tobacco (1950's tobacco bag below)

about his young daughter's mischief, he was told, "Thank you, Mr. Kelly, for bringing this matter to my attention. I will be sure to address it." Later they would date and eventually marry with Edna still using a stick in Jerry's spokes when appropriate.

Jerry enlisted with Edna's brother-in-law in the Navy in 1943. The brother-in-law went to the Pacific theater while Jerry was told to dress in plain clothes and serve in the research end of the top secret proximity fuse (link to US Naval explanation) in Maryland for the next two years. No one knew what Jerry's job was and he was not allowed to discuss it with anyone, even the other naval men who were testing the devices.

Jerry had to travel across the country dealing with all of the different manufacturers of the necessary parts. To baffle espionage, the red herring products were given as much priority and secrecy as the real projects. Even Jerry's mother, Molly, complained to Edna, "At least I know what Walter's doing (in the Normandy invasion) what the heck is Jerry doing in a suit." Edna had to reply that she didn't know herself, for even her conversations with her husband in Maryland were carefully monitored. Jerry told how even innocent comments he made were brought to his attention the following day by the authorities.

After the war, Jerry and Edna moved their two children, Bill and Jerry Jr., to Florida for Jerry Jr.'s health. They lived for a while on Singer Island, north of West Palm Beach then moved inland to Juno Beach for Edna's health.

Jerry's second house (front) "The first was a block south of South Harbor Drive almost directly across the street from where Yacht Harbor Lodge was built. Our first house was actually a duplex (my folks thought the second unit would be a good vacation rental for tourists). My dad drew up the floor-plan and acted as a part-time contractor for the construction. I “helped out;” actually, mostly got in the way." --Jerry's son, Bill (5/5/09)

Jerry's second house (rear).

Jerry headed the Kelly Brothers Real Estate office with his three brothers, Emmett, Larry, and Walter. Soon their sister Kathryn joined them on Singer Island, leaving Harry in Lansing and Marie with her husband Charles Singelyn in Port Huron.

The real estate business thrived and five years after their arrival in 1948, billionaire John D. McArthur arrived in Florida and became close with Jerry, almost closing a deal in the 1960's to open Disney World in West Palm Beach. McArthur's dispute with Roy Disney ended the $750,000 investments split evenly between McArthur, RCA, and NBC. "Irish," as Jerry was known to McArthur, was told by Johnny Mac during the meeting with Roy Disney that he had to leave to attend a sewage drain meeting. In the hallway he told Jerry that, in essence, the deal was off. The land originally surveyed for Disney World became the official PGA golf course in 1969. Edna told Jerry often for years that it was the best thing that could have happened for the area, allowing it to retain its beauty.

Jerry through the years has rubbed shoulders with many celebrites including the Jack Nicklaus family, Perry Como, Bob Hope (via the golf course), and Burt Reynolds whose mother owned a cafe where Jerry would have breakfast on Sundays, saying hello to little "Buddy" when he was at his mom's restaurant. Burt Reynolds Sr. was the only Burt Jerry knew.

Jerry's close friends, Herb and Jane Branch, shared a canine family with Jerry. Their beagle, Maggie, is the sister of Jerry's third dog named 'Bama.

-- source, Jerry Kelly interviews March 1995 and February 1998, written by Kevin Walsh 2/18/98

Memories of Grandfather Jerry: My grandparents, Jerry and Edna, were very close friends of the late actress Helen Hayes; who would spend weekends with them at their home on Singer Island, Fla.. They would go to great lengths to help her conceal her identity ( she especially loved going to church with them) by using hats, scarves, and wigs.Also, many years ago, President George Bush, Sr. gave my grandfather a baseball cap with the presidential seal on it. Dad was extremely proud of his cap, but, unfortunately left it at a restaurant and by the time he remembered it and went back to get it the cap was gone. (Granddaughter, Sheila Ann "Shan" Wright)

Jerry's Obituary

JEROME V. KELLY Jerry Kelly, 93 years old, of Juno Isles, FL, died at his home on Monday, November 15, 2004 following a brief illness. Born in Ottawa, Illinois, one of nine children born to the late Henry M. and Mollie Morrissey Kelly, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Harry (a former Governor of Michigan), Emmett, Lawrence, Walter, Melville, Marie, Kathryn, and Laura.

A longtime resident of Detroit, MI, Jerry assisted the U.S. Navy during World War II in a top secret capacity within the civilian war effort. In 1948, he moved to Singer Island, FL with his wife, Edna; two sons, Bill and Jerry, Jr.; and their dog, Lucky. In the early 1950’s, Jerry and his brother, Walter, established Kelly Bros. Real Estate which developed Pleasant Ridge, Meadows Mobile Home Park, PGA Plaza, and many others.

He was a past member of the Palm Beach County Planning Board; served as Chairman of the Board of several banks; and organized the very first “Christmas in Dixie Parade” in Riviera Beach. Jerry was instrumental in the planning of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, and was responsible for bringing the RCA Plant to Palm Beach Gardens. He also brought the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) to Palm Beach Gardens, having served as the Club’s Chairman of the Board and later with the JDM Country Club.

For many years, Jerry worked closely with John D. MacArthur to assemble large portions of property, often doing business at the coffee table in the Colonnades Hotel. He had numerous real estate interests including the operation of the Holiday Inn on PGA Blvd. Jerry was a longtime member of St. Clare Catholic Church in North Palm Beach; and was preceded in death by his son, Jerry, Jr. who died in 1980, and his wife Edna who died in 1985.

He is survived by his son, William D. Kelly (Cheryl) of Brentwood, CA; five grandchildren, Sheila Ann Wright of Gulfport, MS, Michael Kelly of Mobile, AL, Beth Adcock of Dallas, TX, Lisa Hess (Shawn) of Lancaster, PA, and Steve Kelly (Jenny) of Wilsonville, OR; and 12 great grandchildren.

Additional survivors include his nephew and special friend, Paul Kelly (Mari) of North Carolina; nieces, Arlette Policastro (Anthony) of Miami, FL, Pat Gabriel (Sam) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Betty Kenney (Bob) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL who worked with Jerry at Kelly Bros. Real Estate for many years; many other nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and a wealth of friends.

Jerry will be missed by his loving friends, Jane and Herbert Branch and Sigrid Cox; his attentive housekeeper and caregiver, Roxanne Eason; but mostly by his faithful canine companion, Bama. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 19, 2004 from 4:00 until 6:00 PM at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 1201 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, with a Scripture Service to be held at 4:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 20, 2004 at St. Clare Catholic Church, with the interment to follow at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jerry’s memory to St. Clare Catholic Church, 821 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408. QUATTLEBAUM FUNERAL HOME Family Owned and Operated www.Quattlebaum.org