He was born February 6th 1939 in Glasgow, Scotland, the third son of John and Jane (nee Tuite) Kelly. He attended St Mungo’s Boys Academy in Glasgow. Kevin met and married Patricia Doyle and they immigrated to Canada in 1959 where they settled in Oshawa.
Kevin had a number of jobs when first arriving in Oshawa but eventually worked at General Motors for 15 years with the distinction of being the youngest supervisor ever hired. He left GM in 1976 to work for himself and in 1978 became the owner of The Tartan Tavern Bar and Restaurant, on Rossland Rd. in Oshawa, a thriving business for over 40 years.
Kevin, along with his wife Pat, and the Tartan Tavern were pillars of the city of Oshawa, providing regular employment and outstanding entertainment and building a strong community of friends and family through the years.
Kevin Kelly was also active in the soccer community of Oshawa and played for a number of different teams. He was on the field for his last game at the age of 65. Both he and Pat were also active members of the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club for many years where they established lifelong friendships.
Kevin and Pat were married in 1958 and had four children, all of whom survive him, Kevin James and Karen (nee McCall), Kathleen Anne, Michael Joseph and John Fitzgerald, all of whom were present for his final hours.
Kevin is also survived by his younger sister, Janette Carroll, (Jack Carroll), his ten grandchildren, Jacqueline, Shannon, Connor, Emma, Quinn, Devyn, Olivia, Julia, Sean and Grace and his six great grandchildren, Beckham, Harper and Rowan, Molly, Kruz and Callan.
A special thanks to Doris and Jim Woodward, Kevin and Pat’s best friends for over 60 years. Jim was also there in Kevin’s last hours and his strength and tenderness were appreciated.
Thanks also to Tracy and Tom Fardy for their love and support, to Karen Kelly for her guidance and vigilance and to all our friends and family who have shared their love and support during this difficult time.
Life is fleeting but love is forever.
Visitation services will be held at Oshawa Funeral Home, located at 847 King Street West, Oshawa, Ontario, L1J 2L4, Canada. The visitations are scheduled for November 7, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm and from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
A religious ceremony will take place at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, situated at 214 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, Ontario, L1G 4S9, Canada, on November 8, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.
