Saturday, August 18, 2007

John Francis Kielty

John Francis Kielty, born September 13, 1923, in Weston, Wisconson to Richard Patrick Kielty and Francis Vosberg; he died August 6, 2007, at 3:35 PM at the age of 83. John was married for 64 years to Ethel Francis Duchscher, on January 22nd, 1943 in Boston MA. He was a father of four. He was a good man.

As a Sailor in the Navy, he was part of the illustrious Task Force 16, also known as the Doolittle Raiders. They were the pilots, and seamen responsible for the first attack on the mainland of Japan just four months after Pearl Harbor. He was sunk on the Hornet (CV-8) at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, he was at Iwo Jima on the Hancock, which lost two hundred men in a single kamakazi attack. He was a plankholder on the Lexington (I am sitting here looking at a piece of the floor of that boat). He was at the Marianas Turkey Shoot, he sailed into Tokyo at the end of WW2. I think he was in every major battle in the Pacific in World War II. He also served in the Korean War.

He taught electronics for the Navy in Monterey in the 50's. He was the only TV repairmen I ever knew whose TV never worked. He was a Little League coach, and president of the local Little League. (I thought) He invented T-Ball. He was an Indian Guide Leader. He taught Hunter Safety courses. He sold Amway. We hiked in the wilderness. He ran the Bay to Breakers (a 7 mile run across SF). He taught us all to revere the world -- but especially nature. He lived, we lived, he taught us to be proud. He taught us to work hard, and so did he. He was alive, and so were we. He was a good citizen.

He hit a hole-in-one.

He could be kind, and stubborn all at the same time, and often quite funny. He knocked out the chief of police of a neighboring community at my brother's wedding. Twice. He used to joke about us all meeting over at the (horse) race track bathroom to send his ashes out to sea by flushing them down the toilet. Endless stories will be told to recount the wit and humor of this man.

He is survived by his wife Ethel, children Jacqueline, Kevin and Shawn, grandchildren John, Dana, Molly, Danielle, Heidi, and William, and great-grand child Nicole, and his sister Mary Jane Flynn of Wausau, WI.

There will be the fifteen of us casting his ashes a sea -- On the following day there will be an open house at the Kielty home, starting at 1:00.

If you want to make a donation on his behalf; St. Judes would be a good choice.

In my life there's just a big hole where my father used to be.

14 comments:

The Donut Guy said...

Sorry for your loss.

I am fortunate to still have both my parents around, it sounds like your dad was a good man that will be missed.

amidnightrider said...

I like your fathers style. Especially about his idea of being buried at sea. It really feels good when you think or talk of of lost love one and it makes you smile. He must have been a great dad.

I read your note about me at the kennel. You got paid???? A dollar ten? I'm calling the department of labor today.8>)

Yokota Fritz said...

Shawn, I'm sorry that you've lost your dad. The obituary is lovely.

Di said...

What a touching tribute to a really fine man!! I know he will be missed. My thoughts are with you at this time. Keep sharing with us about him--your stories are heartwarming.

'Thinking of you!

The Old Bag said...

Shawn, this is a beautiful piece. Your father sounds like a great man.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Chris said...

Sorry for your loss.

~ lauren said...

oh no! i haven't been by here in a while. i'm so sorry!

the tribute is beautiful. hope you're feeling ok. i know it's hard.

Anonymous said...

Again, I've no words for this kind of thing. It's so damn hard.

mindful mule said...

Sorry to hear about your father. It sounds like you shared a lot of great moments together – thanks for sharing some of them with us.

Jill Homer said...

A beautiful obituary. Thank you for sharing.

shawnkielty said...

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and condolences.

Anonymous said...

My dad was also in World War II. There was something special about their unselfish generation.

Eclectchick said...

Oh, no. I'm so very, very sorry for your loss. You have written a wonderful piece here. Painted a very full picture of a wonderful man and father. Reminds me very much of the dad I lost, also a Navy man.

Take care, Shawn. My best to you and your family.

shawnkielty said...

Thanks EC, ...