William Geoffrey Kelley, who touched the lives of numerousdevelopmentally disabled adults during the 25 years he worked atHogan Regional Center in Danvers, died Monday from head injuries hesustained after falling from a ladder at his Georgetown home. He was53.
'My dad was an incredible person, and he inspired many, manypeople during his life,' said his son, Matthew J. Kelley of Brooklyn,N.Y. 'His drive to touch lives and help people in his work sproutedfrom his genuine warmth and good spirit.'
Born in Waltham, Mr. Kelley graduated from Watertown High School,where his father, the late John J. Kelley, served as a longtimeprincipal.
Five years later, Mr. Kelley received a bachelor's degree inforestry from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He earnedhis master's degree in applied management from Lesley College in1986.
In November of 1974, he married Irene Vouros of Georgetown. Heworked for five years in state parks in the Amherst area.
Mr. Kelley moved to the Georgetown area 25 years ago and beganworking at Hogan Regional Center. As the center's director ofassistive technology, he was in charge of providing equipment andsupport for a population of hundreds of developmentally disabledadults throughout the area.
According to his son, he was an advocate for the advancement ofassistive technology through research, training, and professionaldevelopment.
Mr. Kelley recently worked as a member of a committee thatorganized the annual conference for the New England AssistiveTechnology Association, which showcased advances in the field.
Outside of his work, Mr. Kelley attended his children's sportingevents and after-school activities, either coaching or watching onthe sidelines. He 'believed in sports as a means to build communityand personal development,' said his son.
Mr. Kelley, who played hockey in high school, held virtually everyposition at the local youth sports organization, the GeorgetownAthletic Association. He started a softball team and worked toimprove soccer and baseball programs.
'The whole town loved my dad, and he deserved it,' Matthew said.'He was everywhere.'
When he wasn't busy working or volunteering in the community, Mr.Kelley took great pride in his Georgetown home. The avid outdoorsmanwas also known for his sense of humor.
'He could get a room full of strangers to laugh out loud,' Matthewsaid. 'He would never fail to find out the name of a waiter orwaitress, electrician or taxi driver, and make them smile with acorny pun. His jokes and quirks are one of a kind, and will live onlike much of his life's work.'
In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Kelley leaves a daughter,Corinne A. of Georgetown; three brothers, Richard D. of Potomac, Md.,John J. of Acton, and Edward C. of Attleboro; and three sisters,Elaine Tocci of Watertown and West Yarmouth, Joanne Arsenault ofWinchester, and Kathleen K. Lockyer of Watertown and Harwich.
A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today in St. Mary's Churchin Georgetown. Burial will be in Harmony Cemetery, Georgetown.
