Local Irishman has been playing accordion for 80 years

LEE – Thomas “Tom” Kelly, 88 years young, is an Irishman through and through.

Born in Ireland in the county of Galway, town of Killimor, the longtime Lee resident can tell a person a thing or two about life.

He knows what it’s like to be a young man and leave his parents; five of his seven brothers and sisters and come to a strange country, America.

He knows what it’s like to be drafted into the U.S. Army and serve during the Korean War.

He knows what it’s like to fall madly in love with a beautiful Italian girl, Flora Cardinali, and to stay married to her, through good and hard times, for 53 years.

Mr. Kelly also knows what it’s like to be a father to five boys and three girls and the immense amount of work that goes into raising them.

40 years as a paper mill worker

He knows the value of 40 years of hard work in a paper mill in order to put food into the mouths of his large family.

He knows what’s it’s like to retire and then see a spouse slip into the progressive grip of Alzheimer’s and become her caretaker for almost 10 years.

He knows the heartbreak of losing one’s lifelong partner, one’s soulmate, because his wife, Flora, died in his arms in the green hilltop Lee home where they raised their eight children.

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignleft” width=”282″][/media-credit]

A lifelong Roman Catholic, he also knows how faith can keep a person going despite all the sorrow, disappointment and challenges that are part of living.

He attends Mass at St. Mary’s Church in town six days a week and faithfully says his rosary daily.

Yes, Tom Kelly can tell a thing or two about life.

He rolls his eyes when asked his age and reluctantly tells how he’ll be 89 years young next August. Somehow, the years have just flown by.

All seven siblings are gone

He’s the youngest of eight siblings and the only one left.

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]

Luckily, seven of Mr. Kelly’s brood all live within a half hour’s driving time. One of his adult “kids” lives in Boston. His kids are Gerald, Robert, James, Mary, Suzanne, Kathleen (Kitty), Kevin and Matthew.

He attributes love as being the key to a long marriage.

When his late wife became ill, there was no question in his mind that he would be the caretaker and allow her to remain at home.

“She was not going anywhere else,” he said. Being a caretaker was difficult but satisfying, he added.

She died in October 2004, and Mr. Kelly still misses her. After all, 53 years is a long time to spend with the person one loves more than any other.

Best part of life

He said raising a family was the best part of his life.

“I thank God every day for my eight kids and their mother,” he said.

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignright” width=”243″][/media-credit]

Mr. Kelly’s mind is still as sharp as the end of a tack. He has bright blue eyes and the ability to recall all the important dates of family events.

He’s got a wry sense of humor, too, and some of his quick quips pertaining to just about anything make people laugh.

Nearby him in the living room of the house where he and Mrs. Kelly lived for more than half a century are photographs of his own parents, as well as his wife’s parents. His mother lived to be 95 years old and his father lived to age 88.

There are also photos of a handsome young couple on their wedding day. The tall, good-looking young man with a head of dark hair is Mr. Kelly with his lovely bride, Flora.

There’s another picture of them strolling down a street in New York, taken on their honeymoon, looking full of happiness and promise.

Learned first on a melodeon

Mrs. Kelly played the piano and her husband, the accordion. He actually learned on a melodeon back in Ireland when he was just eight years old. He doesn’t read music, but he’s been playing for 80 years.

He still has a very slight Irish brogue when he talks. He’s been back to Ireland three times, once with his late wife.

Two of his boys followed in their father’s musical footsteps. Kevin makes and plays violin, and Matthew plays several instruments.

The Kellys played on Irish American Club floats in many July 4 parades in Pittsfield. Mr. Kelly also used to play for people learning Irish dancing as well as at ethnic fairs.

[media-credit id=3 align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]

Will sing this coming weekend

Saturday night (March 16), beginning at 7:30 p.m., Mr. Kelly and two of his sons will be playing Irish music at the Locker Room.

The old red accordion and its musical master will once again be in the limelight.

One of the songs Mr. Kelly plays begins with the question, “How do you do, Willie McBride?”

Anyone who wants to know the answer should stop by the Locker Room Saturday night.

Tom Kelly and two of his sons will be doing their Irish heritage proud.

Posted by Susan M. Wicker Guerrero on March 14, 2013. Filed under Community Events,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry