Accu Jack

John J. "Jack" Kelly

John J. "Jack" Kelly, 62, of Lancaster, died on November 24, 2010 at Hospice of Lancaster County, surrounded by his beloved family after fighting a courageous 19 month battle with cancer. Jack was born in Lancaster to Marilyn R. Kelly of Lancaster and the late Leo F. Kelly. He was a 1966 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School where he was an outstanding musician. An award in his honor is still visible in the High School trophy case.

A young patriot, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force while still in high school. A Vietnam-era veteran, he earned numerous citations for his distinctive service including: the Vietnam Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. After his discharge, Jack enrolled at the Penn State University campus in Wilkes-Barre, PA. While there, he served as the General Manager of the campus radio station, President of the campus Broadcasting Club, contributing-editor of the campus newspaper, a member of the student council, and President/Director of the campus Drama Club. While still a student, he was recruited to join a local radio station and began a career in Broadcasting. In 1972, during Hurricane Agnes, Jack and a small team of reporters earned national recognition reporting around the clock while stranded in their third floor office building. They were the only source of information on the radio bandwidth reporting on the devastation to the outside world. Soon afterward, Jack became a local broadcaster when he was hired as News Director at WNOW/Q-106 in York. He also worked at WSBA in York and WLPA in Lancaster.

After moving to New York in 1976, he discovered his true passion, flying. Jack obtained his private and commercial license, plus instrument and multi-engine ratings. He was employed at Teterboro, NJ as a charter pilot and in night-time aerial advertising over New York City. He moved back to Lancaster in 1983. Here, he was a civic-minded community member who was a volunteer with the American Heart Association and the Lancaster United Way campaign. He also held past memberships with the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW, the Lancaster Traffic Club, the Sales & Marketing Club of Lancaster and the Riverside Club. In 1986, he married his beloved Lisa and raised three beautiful children: Genevieve Susan Zercher wife of Richard Zercher, Jr. of Lititz, Matthew John Kelly of Lancaster and Jillian Marie Kelly fiancée of Steven Hammerstone of Lancaster. He is also survived by his granddaughter Olivia and Genevieve's expected daughter Erin, plus 7 brothers and sisters: Warren Stephen of Turin, Italy, Timothy James of Lincoln, NE, Anthony Paul of Lancaster, Theresa Marie of NYC, Leo Francis of Glendale, CA, Dr. Eleanor Marie of San Diego, CA, and Eileen Patrice of Norwalk, CT.

Friends will be received on Saturday, November 27, 2010 from 10-11AM at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA with the Funeral Service to follow at 11AM, the Rev. Joseph Hilbert officiating. Interment in Conestoga Memorial Park. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. To send an online condolence, please visit:

SnyderFuneralHome.com

Charles F. Snyder Jr.

Funeral Home & Crematory

717-560-5100