Daniel John Kelly

75 years Dan!

We are saddened to announce the sudden passing of our beloved family patriarch Dan “Pops” Kelly. Loving husband to Joan Kelly of Petaluma; Devoted father to Matthew (Vicki) Kelly, Melissa (Ron) Friedrichsen, Nathan (Corriene) Kelly, Melissa Furlong. Adored grandfather to Kayla, Amanda, Ashley, Jessica, Nicholas, Casey, Tommy and Nate, Jr; Sophia and Emily. Great grandfather to sisters Amelia and Angelina. Dan is preceded in death by his father Joseph A. Kelly, mother Phyllis M. Kelly and brother Joseph A. Kelly, Jr.

Dan was born to run in Butte, Montana where he resided until the ripe age of one. In 1942 he and his family relocated to the Avenues of San Francisco by the SF Zoo where he made many of his lifelong friendships and caused a lot of Avenue havoc (too many stories). At 17 he entered the US Navy where he had a chance to see and experience the South Pacific on a Navy destroyer. Upon departure from the US Navy, Dan met and fell head over heels in love with and soon married Joan. After marriage they picked up and relocated to Marin County to start their family then eventually moving north to Petaluma establishing the family’s primary roots. Besides his amateur comic career, Dan has held many jobs throughout his life, most notably as a Lithographer with Rolling Stone Magazine (crazy and fun times), Outside Magazine, Henry Curtis Auto sales and of course the Co-Restaurateur of the Two Niner Diner at the Petaluma Airport where he was always busy sharing stories and jokes. He was an active member of the Petaluma Lodge #901 B.P.O.E., where he learned many recipes and spirits, met many great people. Dan was a constant presence in many life’s and an enduring source of entertainment to all he met, touched or riled up. He lived life large solely on his terms and will be sadly missed but never forgotten… Peace to you pop!

A celebration of life will be held at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary, Petaluma, Friday, 1/20/17 at 11am. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. Judes Children’s Hospital

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory