Paul "Mike" Michael Kelly

Paul Michael "Mike" Kelly of Blairsville died peacefully on August 15, 2018 at Union General Hospital.

Mike was born on October 3, 1937 in Rockville Centre, New York to Virginia Smith Kelly and Anthony Kelly. He attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, New York and St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey. After his graduation from college and a stint in the Army, he embarked on his career in sales for which he was remarkably well suited. His sales career took him to New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and Toronto, Canada.

After serving as National Sales Manager of the Chemlawn Corporation, he decided to leave corporate life and purchased a Chemlawn franchise. In his years of ownership, he increased the customer count from the original 60 to over 3,000. He sold Chemlawn in 1998, with the intent to relax and improve his golf game. However, retirement became boring after several years, so he studied for a real estate license and eventually opened Mike Kelly Realty. This company became a part of Coldwell Banker High Country Realty when Mike retired once again.
Mike and his wife Ruth enjoyed traveling and visited many foreign countries. They particularly liked cruising and went on over 30 cruises when in retirement.

Mike was first and foremost a family man. He and Ruth raised four daughters and he took great delight in their accomplishments. All of them were with him at the time of his passing.

Mike's parents and two brothers, George and John, preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, daughters Elizabeth Nitz (Daren), Marianne Kelly (Christopher), Kathleen Holloway (John) and Rosemary Neal (David), 11 grandchildren, brothers Joseph and Tim, sisters Ariel Kelly, Jeanne Mills and Patricia Wilson and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Blairsville at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 24, 2018.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Friday August 24
11:00 AM
All friends and family invited
Funeral mass and internment
St. Francis of Assisi Church
3717 Hwy 515
Blairsville, GA, US, 30512

Friday August 24
12:30 – 4 pm
All family and friends invited
Celebration of the Life of Mike Kelly
Union County Community Center
Lunch will be served
129 Union County Recreation Rd, Blairsville GA.
**Guests will have the opportunity to share a memory and say a few words about Mike. Please keep comments to 2 minutes as we are anticipating many participants.

Hotels in the area

Brasstown Valley Resort – this is about 10 miles away from Blairsville
http://www.brasstownvalley.com

Comfort Inn Blairsville – this is in center of Blairsville and is adjacent to the Community Center
https://www.choicehotels.com/georgia/blairsville/comfort-inn-hotels/ga933

Best Western Blairsville – this is in the center of Blairsville also
https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-blairsville/best-western-milton-inn/propertyCode.11113.html

Starbucks for those who need it is in the Ingles grocery store
207 Highway 515,
Blairsville, GA 30512
(706) 745-9862

Please let us help or answer questions

Liz Nitz liznitz22@gmail.com
Marianne Kelly mariannepkelly64@gmail.com
Kathleen Holloway kathleenkholloway@gmail.com
Rose Neal rosekneal@gmail.com