Obituary of Fr. Robert J. Kelly, Ph.D.

KELLY – Rev. Fr. Robert J. Ph.D., 76, of Ebensburg, passed away June 9, 2024 at UPMC Altoona Hospital.  Born March 3, 1948 in Johnstown, Pa., son of the late Thomas L and Elizabeth (Racosky) Kelly.  Preceded in death by brother Thomas H. Kelly.  Fr. Kelly was ordained into the Holy Priesthood in 1974 by Bishop James J. Hogan.  In his early priestly career, he had served the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese as an Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, State College and St. Benedicts Church, Johnstown, and as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lock Haven and SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Philipsburg.  Fr Kelly had also served as Diocesan Mission Director, Vocation Director and Director of Priestly Formation.  He retired in 2015 with 41 years of service to this area.  He had also served as chaplain at Rockview State Correctional Institute and Mount Aloysius College.  A graduate of St. Mary’s Seminary & University  (BA) in Baltimore, MD.; Gregorian University (MA), Rome, Italy, and Penn State University (Ph.D)

He is survived by his sisters:  Maureen Long; Mary Patricia “Pat” Kelly, both of Ebensburg; Kathleen (Tom) Sproull, Lower Burrell, Pa. as well as sister-in-law Karen Kelly, Ebensburg and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Friends will be received from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, and on Thursday at Holy Name Church Narthex from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., Fr Brian Warchola, celebrant.   Entombment at Holy Name Mausoleum.  Arrangements are in the care of the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Ebensburg.  Condolences to the family may be left at www.askew-houser.com