Andrew B. Kelly

Andrew Brian Kelly of Brookhaven, PA, passed away on August 21, 2024, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. He was 69 years old. Andrew was born on February 21, 1955, to Vincent M. and Patricia A. Kelly (née O’Connell) in Philadelphia, PA. With an innate talent for fixing machines, Andrew started out as an automobile mechanic after high school. He worked at Joe Pardo’s in Paoli, PA, for a few years, then followed the career path of his father Vincent, a respected tugboat captain and docking pilot on the Delaware River. Andrew attended the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, then known as “Piney Point” in MD. As a deckhand for Curtis Bay Towing Company, Andrew applied his mechanical skills and clear thinking under pressure, to gain successive promotions. He was later hired by the Crowley Marine Company where he ascended to Captain and Docking Pilot. After decades of safely navigating essential commercial shipping traffic in the tight spaces of the Delaware River, Andrew retired in 2011. On October 23, 1982, Andrew married Lynn Susan Rosenberg of Springfield, PA and the couple was soon blessed with daughter Amanda and son Michael. In their early years together, Andrew and Lynn spent countless weekends boating, fishing, crabbing, water skiing and recreating with friends and family in the picturesque waters and beaches surrounding Long Beach Island, NJ. Later and through retirement, Andrew continued to enjoy the company of friends and family while surf fishing from the Jersey Shore to Cape Hatteras, NC. It is clear from the many photos of triumphant catches and stories of nature excursions that his greatest joys came from sharing these hobbies with his children and grandchildren. Nothing made Andrew happier than his grandsons delighting in a surf fishing trip and reeling in a big striper. He also enjoyed the pursuit of the perfect barbeque, vegetable gardening, innovative home repair, and was renowned for long conversations with friends, family and strangers alike. Although he left us too soon, Andrew’s personal fortitude, coupled with the love and support of his large family, allowed him to defeat many life-threatening complications over several years. Andrew was a fighter to the end. Andrew was predeceased by his parents, Vincent and Patricia.

He is survived by his wife Lynn, son Michael A. Kelly, daughter Amanda L. Shepard (née Kelly), son-in-law Kenneth M. Shepard and their children Parker age 11, Jake age 10, and Kenny age 8, as well as siblings Sean M. Kelly (Patty), Christopher P. Kelly (Judy), Patricia M. Kelly (Richard) and Vincent M. Kelly (Mindy).

A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, with a service to follow, on Wednesday, August 28th at the Bateman Allen Funeral Home, located at 4220 Edgemont Ave., Brookhaven, PA 19015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Gift of Life organization at giftoflife.org