Steve Kelly, 55, of East Windsor, a devoted family man and dedicated journalist, died April 16, 2015 at his home. Born and raised in Levittown, PA., the son of Joe and Jean Kelly, Steve graduated from Shippensburg University and launched his journalism career at the Bucks County Courier Times. He moved to New Jersey in 1989 and advanced to editor positions at the News Tribune in Woodbridge and the Record of Hackensack before becoming a news editor with the Philadelphia Inquirer nearly 20 years ago. He often joked that once it became clear that he wouldn’t be the next Bobby Clarke or Larry Bowa, the Inquirer was his dream job. He relished being in the newsroom when a big news story broke. One of his front-page designs hangs in the Newseum in Washington D.C.

Steve was an ardent sports fan, counting among his highlights playing the Old Course at St. Andrews, completing a half-marathon, attending the legendary 1992 Duke-Kentucky NCAA regional final basketball game at the old Spectrum, cheering on Penn State at the Rose Bowl and being part of the crowd at Camden Yards when Cal Ripkin tied Lou Gehrig’s record. But his favorite sporting activity was watching his two daughters, Delaney and Kacey, on the lacrosse field or soccer pitch.

Steve volunteered with East Windsor PAL and Meals on Wheels and each year organized friends to serve as “guest chefs” for Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia. He was compassionate and generous, known for random acts of kindness like paying a stranger’s co-pay at the doctor’s office.

Steve was predeceased by his father, Joe Kelly and a sister, Karen Kelly, he is survived by his wife, Kerry and daughters, Delaney and Kacey; mother, Jean Kelly of Bensalem, PA.; sisters, Sandy (Mark) Robidoux of Fairless Hills, PA. and Janice (Al) Thomas of Orlando, FL. Also surviving are his nieces, Skylar and Jade Robidoux and a long list of in-laws, nieces and nephews in Michigan, all of whom will greatly miss their “Uncle Steve-O.”

Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 4pm to 8pm at the Barlow & Zimmer Funeral Home, 202 Stockton Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. A memorial service will be held 11am on Friday, April 24 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to support pancreatic cancer research at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Gifts can be made online at www.hopkinskimmelcancercenter.org, or by mailing a check to the Kimmel Cancer Center Development Office, 750 East Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202. Please make checks payable to The Johns Hopkins University with a memo indicating that the gift is in memory of Steve Kelly.

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