Louis Daniel Kelley

Louis (Lou) Daniel Kelley, 91, of Attleboro, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, MA. He was the beloved husband of the late Helen Frances (Dorr) Kelley, who died in December 1988.Born on October 11, 1924 in Attleboro, MA, he was the son of the late Louis Kelley and Emma (O'Neill) Kelley.Lou graduated from Attleboro High School in 1943, where he was the Captain of the 1943 basketball team and led the team to victory in the State Championship Tournament that year. He then entered the military service as an aviation cadet, and became a 2nd Lieutenant Navigator Bombardier flying B-24's. Eventually, after practice runs "bombing" Holyoke, he found his way to Rhode Island State College, where he played four years of basketball and baseball and graduated in 1949. That fall, Lou took his first job in education in Jaffrey, NH, where he taught Biology and Chemistry and coached the baseball team to a league championship. The next year he returned to the area and crossed over to the other side - taking a job at the North Attleboro YMCA.Lou's legendary career at North Attleboro High School was launched in 1954 when he was hired to teach Physical Education as well as coach baseball and basketball. Four years later, Lou was appointed Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. He served in that capacity until the late 1960's, when he became the Assistant Principal. Shortly thereafter, Lou became only the fourth person since 1928 to serve as the Principal of North Attleboro High School and he would serve admirably in that position until 1981. Lou finished his career working as an assistant to Superintendent William Kelly, overseeing the buildings, grounds, custodians, transportation and more.Since his retirement in 1986, "Uncle Lou" continued to be an active supporter of North Attleboro High School. Besides attending varsity football games, Lou was a regular participant in the Dan Plumb Memorial Golf Day.In 2003, in recognition of his many years of dedicated service, the front courtyard at the High School was named in his honor. Today, in the Louis D. Kelley Courtyard, there hangs a commemorative plaque that simply and eloquently summarizes the gift that Uncle Lou gave to the thousands of students, parents and teachers who passed by as they entered the front doors. It reads: "Lou Kelley-educator, leader, gentleman and true friend of North Attleboro High School." In 2014, he was inducted into the First Annual Attleboro Area Basketball Hall of Fame.Lou was a lifelong resident of the North Attleboro and Attleboro area. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Attleboro and the North Attleboro Elks. He enjoyed baseball, basketball and golf, especially golfing near his home in Florida, as well as the company of his late dog, "Maggie". Lou's greatest joy was truly the time spent with his family.He is survived by his cherished family: his children, Kathleen "Kathy" Lou (Kelley) White and her husband, John P. White, of Attleboro, MA; Colleen M. (Kelley) White and her late husband, Alan White of Venice, FL; and Michael S. Kelley of Coconut Grove, FL. He leaves six adoring grandchildren and three treasured great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.Lou was the father of the late Patricia L. (Kelley) Pimental and the brother of the late Edward Kelley, Regina (Kelley) Spader, Ernestine (Kelley) Zuchero, and Leona (Kelley) Rushlow.Family and friends are cordially invited to attend Visitation on Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, ¾ mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. For those in need of a local ride to visitation they may simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such complimentary transportation.Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the Funeral Service on Monday, March 14, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. from the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, ¾ mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 133 North Main Street - Route 152, Attleboro. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, West Street, Attleboro where Lou will be laid to rest alongside his dear wife.Children's room is available during the visitation and while the funeral cortege is being organized.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Lou's name may be made to the Athletic Department of the North Attleboro High School, 1 Wilson Whitty Way, North Attleborough, MA 02760.For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200