Joseph Kelly
March 14, 1961 ~ February 3, 2024
Joe’s service will be livestreamed below at 6:00 pm, Saturday, February 10, 2024
The ever-legendary, Joseph Donahue Kelly, was born March 14, 1961 in Bordulac, ND, to Frances Jeanne Bujalski and Lawerence Leonard Kelly. Joe had 5 siblings, Paul, Mike, Mary, Maureen, and Terri. Joe grew up in Harvey, ND, and then in Fargo, ND. He attended school in North Fargo.
At 17 years old, Joe met the love of his life, his best friend, Gail Bernie. They had 3 children, (Joey, Amy, and Tyler) and then got married on Oct. 26, 1990-Oct 20, 2010. Joe was highly respected by most people as he had firm beliefs and rules he lived life by and has installed them in his children’s head; Don’t steal and always be honest and respectful. RESPECT, was the most important thing to Joe. He always respected everyone unless they didn’t respect him back and he made it known if you were being disrespectful. “Without respect, there is no love,” he would often say. He is one of the most honest persons we all know. He was honest about his drug usage when asked and even when not asked. He was honest about all his illnesses/ailments/disabilities/ faults/everything. Joe spent a lot of his years, getting in trouble, winding up in prison, and meeting a lot of friends there. Joe was one of a kind, truly he was. Although Joe is known as some bad ass, he is also a giant teddy bear. He impacted a lot of people by always helping out someone whether it was giving them money, a roof over their heads, someone to talk to, or just simply smoking a joint together watching the Minnesota Vikings getting their asses whooped. People loved hanging around Joe just to shoot the shit, playing dice, or his personal favorite cribbage.
Joe was also an amazing cook. Weekend brunches were his specialties. Joe loved fishing in the Spring/Summer and going to the Casinos all year round. He wasn’t necessarily good or lucky with gambling, he went to be around people and meet new people. Joe was also very athletic. He played hockey, football, wrestling and many more. He also played slowpitch softball with his daughter until 2007. He was the best of the best at most things he would do, as he always believed that one should give it their all at everything they do in life. Naturally, he taught his kids this and they were quite the animals in all sports too. Joe has shown a lot of compassion for those who were suffering at difficult times in their lives, by being there for whoever needed them. He has also stood up for others time and time again, with his fists usually, headbutts for sure for those who dare to challenge him.
Joe passed away on Feb 3, 2024, from Lung Cancer that has been metastasizing everywhere in his body over the past 2 years, attacking all systems of his body leaving him extremely weak to which he had a heart attack/stroke and couldn’t fully recover from this time. He passed away peacefully with his dog/child Ruby by his side, the way Joe wanted his ending to be with the help of some very amazing, patient, loving friends/family Keka Pritchett, Scotty Williams, Allyson Scott, and sister Maureen, who all assisted with 24/7 care for about 10 days. Thank you all so much!
Joe was proceeded in death by Gail (wife), Jeanne (mom), Larry (dad), Mary (sister). He is survived by his son (Joey & Tara Kelly) grandchildren (Cash, Cruz, & Cambry) daughter (Amy & Jake Skeie) grandchildren (Isaiah & Isabella) and son (Tyler & Bre Kelly). Joe’s siblings (Mike & Diana Kelly), (Paul & Debbie Kelly) (Terri Barta/Kelly) (Maureen & Martin Jonason) and 12 nieces and nephews and close family Keka Pritchett, Scotty Williams and Allyson Scott, and his baby girl/dog Ruby.
All Joe wanted for his funeral was for everyone to be together sharing stories of the Great and Glorious Ever-Legendary Joseph Donahue Kelly.
“Here I am as I started again Beyond death and borne on the wind.”
Services
Gathering of Family and Friends: February 10, 2024 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
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Jo I hadn’t seen you in quite some time,but every time we’d run into eachother it was always like we never lost touch. You were a great friend and a good man. Im glad you’re nolonger in pain but you will be missed by all of us that could be called your friend. RIP Jo its a good place to be,love ya
I met Joe when I was 19 years old I’m now 46. I’m proud to be a part of his life!! Idk what I’ll do without him and I miss him so much already!! He was truly EPIC!!!! he was always honest, respectful and if he had your back he meant he had your back. I’ll never forget the hitch hiker Mr Joe Kelly!! I love and miss you more than you could have ever guessed!!
Joe … You will be so missed. I will always be greatful for all the things you helped me with…songs, you and Keka watching my spirit fire at fast, the advice you gave to me when I was upset, angry or sad…it always made sense and so much more. I will never forget the words you said to me as I still read those words to this day. You are one of a kind Joe and you sure did make a difference! You changed the way I looked at things..gave me a new perspective on people and life etc. Today I will cry for you but tonight when I look up at the stars I will be smiling knowing your traveling the milky way on your way home. Love you always and in my heart….Anne
Dear Joe,
It was with heavy heart I write this. I saw you as indestructible growing up. A man who feared nothing and nobody. Well may be Jimmy…. The last meaningful conversation I had with you was at my grandmothers funeral. Throughout life when I met people who knew you your reputation was always a point of conversation. Although the story I told most was the day my father your best friend Jimmy died and you came running into the ER hoping to say good bye but finding out we were to late. I know my father was waiting for you at the gates of heaven probably to settle who was toughest once for all lol. On serious note I wish I could see the reunion and I can’t wait until all of are together again. I will miss you and I will forever tell the stories of the softer side of Joe Kelly as those are stories I hold most special.
I will truly miss you! Thank you for believing in me and playing coach in my dream. We all lost a great guy! Rest in peace my friend.
joe i fuckin love you bro, trust when i say you will never be forgotten.
Rip… .
Robert nefzger wants to say see u soon sir Kelly Joe it’s been a surreal 45 years that I have known you RIP but not to soon Joe I thank you for being so cool we will not stop praying for you and all that made the trip to heaven love is not a strong enough word for me to say little nefzger peace out
RIP from Mother’s Music in Moorhead, Joe. I got to know you a bit before I took over the store, but you definitely lived up to your legendary status.
If you screwed Joe over or disrespected him (or those close to him), he was the worst enemy you could have. But if you respected him and treated his friends and family well, he was the best friend you could have. All you’d have to do is tell someone that you knew Joe Kelly, and they wouldn’t mess with you!
Thanks for your patronage over the years, Joe! I didn’t get to know you that well, but I felt like I was chatting with a legend whenever you stopped in!
Peace and love to Joe’s family! My condolences.
-Brady @ Mother’s
I appreciate the balance and fairness in your writing. Great job!
I LOVE YOU IM GOING TO MISS YOU WE ARE FAMILY
Being and that it took until Sept 2023 to test you for cancer. I’m proud you got a place, applied for all those programs, and mostly I’m proud you reached out on Facebook asking for help. That couldn’t have been easy for you as I’ve never seen you ask for help. Solid work! Go home to grandma and mom. But please stay close enough to me to guide me through life. I love you!
Joe Kelly in 4th or 5th Grade was already a MANCHILD! Maureen, his sweet sister had a special bond with Joe, She was also in my class! I was always on the play ground, even then Joe was an Athletic “animal”!!! We always had that mutual respect for one another, whether playing tetherball, 4 square, or kickball! Joe never competed at less than 100%!!!!!!!!!!!! We were never close friends, but he is a guy who always had my back! I remember meeting him playing pinball across from NDSU, with this beautiful woman his hair down to his back! “What’s up Joe?”. “Just got out of PRISON!” I just talked like we did when we were at Washington Grade School. Met him a few years later TACO SHOP talked again, it was always easy with Joe!!!! After Joe left with his order, Guy behind the counter said he is ONE BADASS!!! “Not if you respect him!!!!!!!” Last time I met him, Joe Jr. was playing legion w/Jason Jansen, my classmate and close friend Ron’s son. Again I met “SUPERMAN” without a cape! Love you JOE KID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember being a really little kid, and you told me about a person that you knew who could find four leaf clovers. I don’t think you ever knew what an impression that made on me, lol. I thought to myself “Wow! I am going to do that someday!” And now I have multiple books full of them 4,5,6,&7 leaf clovers.
I love you uncle Joe, I will miss you. ❤️
That’s So Cool Tessa!!! (I’m that person he was talking about) 🍀❤️🍀
With 2 aces, that’s the one older guy stood up and said I’m gonna wait for you outside cause he lost about 160 on the game And THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I Met JOE, he stood up and said listen here he gets the whole pot, and if you have a problem with him, you can take it up with me, never seen that guy again not being Joe I’m talking about, that was the first time I ever met JOE. JOE you were a great friend, we will party again in the very late future, love ya bro
Ruby lived with my mom and her boyfriend for a couple years, and she had two litters of pups. Around 2018 I felt like my dad was going through something and that he could really use a friend to keep him company, to keep his mind off of the heavy things that he was dealing with like trying to stay clean, his anxiety and depression and he had expressed to me that he was lonely a couple of times and had thought about getting a dog or cat. Well, every time he would visit my mom and step dad Ruby would just Light Up like a little puppy! They loved each other so much that my mom and stepdad were kinda like I think she’s Your dog. At first my dad would say no, I can’t take her from you guys …but one day she just jumped into his car and that was it! They were inseparable! She’s an incredibly intelligent dog and She just knows what people need, she’s so so special… so when my dad, passed away.. I just knew that if it was possible I wanted her to go to uncle Joe, I knew that he would love her the way she deserved to be loved and, that she would be there for him whenever he needed a friend. And that no matter what she wouldn’t leave his side…I am so thankful that they had each other and that they were able to have such an incredible bond. ❤️ I love that Ruby girl, her and her deep understanding eyes. You could almost swear that she understands every word you say to her. I am happy that she has such amazing people looking out for her and keeping her safe and happy.❤️ …I lost it when you brought her up that’s the first time I’ve seen her since my dads passing. To see her up there wagging her tail smiling her big doggy smile and looking so healthy and happy, is just awesome. She is just an angel put here to help the people who need her I swear it.
I wish I could have told this story in person but I just couldn’t do it, I’m a total wreck and I just can’t stop cryin…
I’ll Miss ya uncle Joe, but it’s not goodbye just see you later. Say hello to dad for me.
Remember all the wonderful memories of him and forget the rest… in the end those are the important things in life. May be rest eternally in the arms of Jesus.
God Bless You All… Julie & The Walvatne Family
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Joe. My thoughts are with his family. The memory of Joe means a lot to me. So many deep conversations about life. He was as genuine as they come. Joe, I will make sure that everyone knows who holds the high score, you’re forever a pinball legend.
Scott and Leisa Mondry