Francis J. Kelly | Company controller, 83

Francis J. Kelly, 83, of Springfield, Delaware County, a retired Westinghouse controller and veteran of two wars, died of cancer Saturday at home.

After graduating from St. Thomas More High School in West Philadelphia, Mr. Kelly enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He was aboard the destroyer USS Purdy off Okinawa when the ship was hit by a kamikaze plane, killing 15 sailors.

After the war, Mr. Kelly earned a bachelor's degree from La Salle University, where he was a member of the track team. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and served aboard the light cruiser USS Manchester off the Korean coast.

After his discharge, Mr. Kelly was an accountant for two years at General Electric's steam turbine division in Southwest Philadelphia, where he met his future wife, Tricia Coleman. He then joined Westinghouse. In the late 1960s, Mr. Kelly spent two years as financial controller of Westinghouse's operations in Caracas, Venezuela.

After retiring from Westinghouse in 1988 as division controller, he was with the accounting and consulting firm of KPMG for two years.

Mr. Kelly and his wife raised their children in Delaware County and northern New Jersey. In 1991, they moved to Williamsburg, Va., where they had spent their honeymoon. Shortly after returning to Delaware County in 2000 to be closer to family, Mr. Kelly was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Doctors thought he was dying, his son, Francis Jr., said. Instead, he lived for eight years, playing golf and enjoying family and friends.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Kelly is survived by daughters Kim and Christine, and a grandson.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at St. Kevin Church, 200 W. Sproul Rd., Springfield. Friends may call from 10 a.m.