Fr. C. Richard Kelly passed on from this life on Jan. 3, 2021, at the age of 76.

Fr. Kelly was born Nov. 23, 1944, and was ordained a priest Sept. 11, 1970. He attended St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township, and Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.

He served in the Archdiocese of Detroit until the time he left active ministry in 2004. Fr. Kelly served as associate pastor of St. Mary of Redford Parish, Detroit (1970-73), and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Detroit (1975-78). He also served as pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Ecorse (1978-92), and St. Thomas a’Becket Parish, Canton (1993-2004). 

On Nov. 18, 2005, Fr. Kelly was removed from active ministry according to the norms of the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Due to COVID-19, a funeral is not currently planned. Condolences may be sent to Fr. Kelly’s brother, Tom Kelly, 6505 Prairie Dunes Drive, Grand Blanc, MI 48439.