Chief Bernard A. (Ret.) Kelly
Born: April 27th, 1941
Passed on: January 1st, 2017
Chief Bernard ‘Bernie’ Kelly, (Ret.), age 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving and devoted family on Sunday January 1st, 2017 at the Glace Bay Health Care Facility. Dad was born in Glace Bay on April 27th, 1941. He was the son of the late Dennis and Elizabeth (Boone) Kelly. He was a member of St. John’s Parish and upon its closure he became a member of St. Anne’s parish in Glace Bay. In dad’s earlier years he worked at Masons Wholesale and later worked as a coal miner in #20 Colliery in Glace Bay before becoming a police officer. In 1965 Dad joined the Dominion Police Department. He served the department as Police Chief from 1968 until his official retirement in 1995. He was instrumental in the founding and served as a long-time member of the Maritime Chiefs of Police Association. Also, he was a member of the Cape Breton Regional Police Retirement Association founded in 2007. Throughout his life, dad was committed to the betterment of his community not only through his work but also through his involvement in many clubs and organizations. He displayed a genuine openness and compassion for people. His greatest accomplishment was the strong love and support he showed for his family and friends. We could depend on dad for anything at any time. He was very proud to be a ‘Papa’ to three wonderful grand-daughters.
Left to mourn are his loving wife of 55 years, Dorothy ‘Dot’ (Wrathall) Kelly; children, Shaunah (Paul), David (Lisa), Derrick (Milissa); cherished grand-daughters, Natasha, Sara and Avery. Also surviving are his sisters, Cleo and Ann Marie; brothers, Edward ‘Ned’, Dennis, Jude, John and William. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sisters, Mary, Pearl, Arlene and Caroline and Elizabeth in infancy and his brother, Jerome. Visitation for Dad will be held on Wednesday, January 4th, 2017 from 6-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday January 5th, 2017 at 2 p.m. in St. Anne’s Church, with Fr. Leo Boone officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. Reception to follow in the church foyer.
Memorial donations in dad’s memory can may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit or a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences to the family can be expressed through: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
